SPRINGFIELD, IL — A former Springfield aldermanic candidate who pleaded guilty to endangering the life or health of a child stemming from the 2024 drowning death of a 7-year-old in his foster care was arrested for possession of methamphetamine July 21.
David A. Yankee, 50, also was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
Yankee was booked into the Sangamon County Jail.
Yankee will make his initial court appearance on the new charge on July 23.
Yankee’s arrest took place just after 8 p.m. at Carpenter Park on the city’s far north side, Springfield Park District Police Chief Patrick Murphy confirmed to The State Journal-Register July 22.
Sherman Police also responded to the call, Murphy said.
Barrett Koches’ drowning occurred at an in-ground pool at Yankee’s home in the 2300 block of Winnebago Drive in the Indian Hills subdivision on March 16, 2024.
Yankee is on two years felony probation after making the plea in April.
Yankee and his husband, Michael, were “indicated” by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in the summer of 2024. An “indication” means credible evidence supports an allegation of child abuse or neglect. That ruling resulted in two children, Koches’ then 4-year-old brother and a then 10-year-old, both foster children, being removed from the home.
Yankee, a financial advisor with Cornerstone Financial Services, ran unsuccessfully for Springfield Ward 4 alderman in 2023. Yankee finished third behind Larry Rockford and another candidate. Rockford won the seat which was being vacated by retiring city council member, John Fulgenzi.
(This story has been updated to add new information and a video.)
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Former city council candidate arrested for meth possession | Exclusive
Reporting by Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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By Steven Spearie, Springfield State Journal-Register | USA TODAY Network
