LINCOLN -- A Lincoln man faces murder charges in connection with the death of 2-year-old Lucas Alberts, who died Monday at a Peoria hospital.

Ty Cline, 38, was arrested at 11 a.m. Wednesday at a relative's home in Bloomington by Illinois State and Lincoln police.

Cline also was charged with aggravated battery of a child. He is being held in the Logan County Jail on $500,000. A preliminary hearing will be held today.

Lincoln Police Chief Stuart Erlenbush and Logan County State's Attorney Michael McIntosh said the investigation is ongoing.

"We still have more people to interview," Erlenbush said at a press conference, "but because of the investigation, we are confident we have the person responsible."

Erlenbush said Jody Alberts, the child's mother, had been dating Cline. Last Saturday, he was babysitting Lucas at Cline's residence at 540 14th St. in Lincoln.

At about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, police said the toddler was brought to the emergency room at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. Officers interviewed Alberts, and Lucas was later airlifted to Children's Hospital of Illinois in Peoria, where he died the following day.

Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said Lucas died of "blunt force trauma" to the head.

Illinois State Police investigators were called in to assist with the investigation and a search warrant was issued for Cline's residence on Sunday.

"Various items of evidence were removed from the residence," Erlenbush said, but did not name the items.

McIntosh said Cline does not have a past history of violent behavior. His record includes only traffic tickets and a 1997 DUI.

If convicted, he faces 20 years to life.

Some of Alberts' relatives attended the press conference, but did not speak with reporters.

"It's obviously been a very traumatic situation for the family," Erlenbush said.