PORTAGE, Ind. (AP): Murder charges have been filed against an Indiana grandfather in connection with the 1972 death of a southern Illinois child.

Gary Allyn Warwick, a former assistant softball coach Purdue North Central, was arrested Thursday in Portage, Indiana.

Authorities allege the 62-year-old Warwick, who was dating the child's mother, was responsible for the December 1972 death of 1-year-old Joseph Abernathy the Third.

St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly said Friday that Warwick was indicted on murder charges in 1973, but the charges were dismissed without explanation.

Kelly and St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson launched the latest investigation after an online petition campaign and an Abernathy family YouTube video.

It wasn't immediately known if Warwick, who is being held in St. Clair County on $5 million bail, has legal representation.