Deputies in Lancaster say a five year-old girl was murdered by her mother’s boyfriend last night.

27-year-old Phillip Gleason was arrested and charged today with homicide by child abuse in the death of five-year-old Soren Chilson.

Initial results of an autopsy today found the child likely died after Gleason struck her in the head.

Police were called to a Craig Farm Road address shortly after midnight. The child was not breathing and she was taken to Springs Memorial Hospital where she later died.