DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Tatiana Neustadter is accused of killing a toddler back in 2019. The Plainfield resident’s arrest was far from immediate, but Vermilion County officials said her eventual capture speaks to their determination and undying patience.

“It’s important we hold people accountable and bring people to justice no matter how long it takes,” said Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy.

That justice is now closer than it has been in almost six years. 

Danville Police responded near Camaro and Deerwood Drives on June 4, 2019, to find a 2-year-old who was badly hurt. The child died a couple weeks later.

From then until now, Lacy and Danville Police Deputy Chief Terry McCord said new information unavailable at the time of the crime led to the arrest.

“Cases like this and investigations like this can take time,” McCord said. “It’s very important [that people] provide that information even if you get it a long period after.”

Although Joliet Police arrested Neustadter hours away from where she’s accused of murdering the 2-year-old, Lacy said she may have had ties to Danville.

“I believe that she was in a relationship with the mother of the victim,” Lacy said.

Lacy does not believe Neustadter was related to the victim. Neither she nor McCord shared any details on how the child died.

The more recent tips over the years helped the case move along when it otherwise could have gone cold.

“When a child is murdered, when anyone is murdered, and there’s no one there to witness it, it becomes very difficult to prove it in a courtroom,” Lacy said.

In light of the tragedy, Lacy hopes this an example of how her office and the police don’t rest until justice is served.

“It’s a horrific crime that any human being could kill another human being let alone a helpless child,” Lacy said. “Things happen, [it] hits the news that someone is killed and then I think there’s an impression that we just move on and work other cases. This is a good example of how we continue to work cases.”

Neustadter faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated battery to a child. She’s being held in the Vermilion County Public Safety Building awaiting trial.