Case continues for ex-Marine accused of murdering stepdaughter

News 11 has confirmed that a judge granted a continuance to the attorney representing ex-Marine Jared Cardwell, who is accused of murdering his 20-month-old stepdaughter in 2015.

Attorney Cynthia Brubaker asked Superior Court Judge Stephen Rouff for more time to review the case. He granted her 60 days.

Cardwell is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Celine Matus.

The child was found unresponsive in base housing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on May 19, 2015. Cardwell was arrested days later.

A doctor who performed Matus’ autopsy said she died of blunt force trauma to the head. The doctor said there also appeared to be chemical burns on her face.

The case was first being handled by the U.S. Marine Corps but was later turned over to the Yuma County Attorney’s Office.

Cardwell is being held at the Yuma County Detention Center on $500,000 bond. He was booked April 16, 2016. He is due back in court in December.