(AP) -- WEST PLAINS, Mo. (AP) -- A south-central Missouri man charged with drowning his 4-year-old son has died in jail.
The Springfield News-Leader reports 40-year-old Eric Chappelle of West Plains was found dead around 7 a.m. Thursday in his cell at the Howell County Jail.
The Missouri Highway Patrol is investigating but says foul play is not suspected. An autopsy is scheduled for next week.
Chappelle had been jailed since the drowning death of his son in April 2011. He was charged with first-degree murder and other offenses.
Police said Chappelle told officers he killed the boy and wanted to kill himself because he was facing allegations of child molestation. Officers said Chappelle had tried to stab himself with a large knife.
(Information in the following story is from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com)
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