Couple Accused of Shaking Their 4-Month-Old Daughter to Death, as Dad Claims He and the Baby Were ‘Playing Rough’

A 4-month-old baby in Nebraska died from a brain injury consistent with shaking, and both of her parents have been arrested. Her father said that before her death, he and the baby had been “playing rough.”

Following the death of their baby daughter, Ryan and Tanya Greenwood of Lincoln, Neb., are in jail, held on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death, according to the Lincoln Police Department (LPD). They are also accused of not getting medical help for the baby, Nebraska outlet KOLN reported.

In the early morning of Thursday, Aug. 14, around 5:30 a.m. local time, police went to the couple’s apartment after Ryan, 36, called 911 to report that his baby daughter had died. Both he and Tanya, 28, were at home when officers arrived.

The baby died from a traumatic brain injury consistent with shaking, KOLN reported, citing an official autopsy. A child abuse specialist also examined her and concluded that her injuries were not accidental. They said that getting medical help right away could have improved her chance of surviving, according to the outlet.

Ryan allegedly told police that the day before he called 911, he had been “playing rough” with his daughter, who then started crying uncontrollably, KOLN reported.

He said he gave her a bottle and put her to bed late that night. Hours later, Tanya noticed the baby did not wake up as usual, according to the outlet.

Ryan said the infant was then found unresponsive and cold, per KOLN. He said he tried to do CPR before calling his mother and then 911.

Tanya told a different story, according to KOLN.

During the investigation, she said that on Aug. 13, she went grocery shopping and returned to her daughter’s cries, which she called “the worst cry I had ever heard,” per the outlet. She also said she wanted to get medical help for the baby, but Ryan told her not to.

The investigation later showed that Tanya had seen Ryan shake their daughter when he was frustrated in the past, according to KOLN. Court records also revealed that she had searched online about shaken baby syndrome in the days after the baby’s death.

Tanya had previously texted Ryan about injuries she noticed on their daughter, KOLN reported, citing court records.

It is not yet clear whether the Greenwoods have lawyers to speak on their behalf.

Ryan was arrested and booked into Lancaster County Jail on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and Tanya was booked on Thursday, Aug. 28, according to jail and police records viewed by PEOPLE. Their bonds are both set at $1.5 million.