Sickle believed used in Ohio girl's beating death

HILLSBORO, Ohio (AP) — A sheriff says investigators believe a sickle was the weapon used in the beating death of a 5-year-girl whose uncle is charged in the murder in southern Ohio.

Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward says authorities have the weapon, which consists of a short handle and a crescent-shaped blade.

Ward says preliminary autopsy results show Jada Beth Williams suffered from blunt-force trauma to the head, neck and face. Ward says her body was found Sunday in a plastic container at the Jackson Township home where she was living with her uncle and grandmother.

A detective says in a court document that her uncle, 18-year-old Matthew Pierson, admitted killing the girl.

A judge set Pierson’s bond today at $500,000 in Hillsboro Municipal Court.