By Daniel Lapham/Staff Writer

An El Reno man faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of a 7-month-old girl.

Shannon Dee Allen of 617 1/2 South Rock Island was arrested Monday and remains without bail in the Canadian County Jail, said Paul Hesse, assistant district attorney. Allen was arraigned on Tuesday and will remain in Canadian County jail without bond. Allen’s next court dates are Dec. 6 and Dec. 28, according to his court file.

Rileigh Akeen died Sept. 22 while her mother, Ella Akeen, was in a training mission for the Oklahoma National Guard at Fort Gruber. Ella Akeen said she left her daughter in the custody of Allen’s girlfriend, who had offered to baby-sit while Akeen trained in preparation to be deployed to Iraq with the 45th Infantry Brigade.

Akeen said her superiors are trying to change her orders so she can stay in El Reno during the trial.