A Kemmerer resident has been arrested and charged with Murder in the First Degree and Aggravated Child Abuse following the death of a child.

Kemmerer City Police Chief Michael Kahre said at approximately 3:38 p.m. on Friday, November 25, officers responded to a residence in Kemmerer for a call of an unresponsive 5-year-old female child.  Upon arrival Sergeant Jake Walker located the child unresponsive, laying on the couch in the living room.

EMS crews arrived on scene and took over life saving measures that had been started by Sergeant Walker. The girl was transported to South Lincoln Medical Center for treatment and later air lifted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Utah. At approximately 9:00 a.m. on November 26 the child died from her injuries.

Chief Kahre said the injuries to the child did not appear to be consistent with the story that officers were told on scene, prompting a criminal investigation which resulted in the arrest of Cheri Lynn Marler, 51, who was a caretaker/babysitter for the child. Chief Kahre stated that this remains an active and ongoing investigation. According to Lincoln County Attorney Spencer Allred, Marler is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Monday, November 28. Additional details will be provided as they become available.

Friends of the girl’s family have set up a GoFundMe page. The page identifies the girl’s first name as Annabelle. All proceeds from donations will go directly to Belle’s funeral expenses. The page can be found by clicking here.