A Maine man has been charged with murder after his infant daughter was rushed to the hospital unresponsive while in his care, authorities said.
Police say Shawn Samuels, 24, was arrested Jan. 17 after his 12-week-old daughter, Lyla Samuels, was taken to the hospital the day before. In a statement, Maine State Police said first responders were called after a 911 report on Jan. 16 of an unresponsive baby. Paramedics were able to revive Lyla and transport her for treatment. Investigators were later brought in, police said, citing the “facts and circumstances” surrounding the case.
Lyla died Jan. 18, and her father was subsequently charged with murder and domestic violence, authorities said.
According to an affidavit obtained by local news outlet Bangor Daily News, Samuels was caring for Lyla after her mother, Leah Collins, returned to work following maternity leave. Samuels told police he was feeding the baby when she allegedly stopped breathing. He said he burped her and she began breathing again, but she remained unresponsive.
The Boston Globe reported that when a relative called 911, they told dispatchers that “the father of this child is alone with the child for the first time.”
When questioned by investigators, Samuels told police he had not dropped or shaken Lyla or intentionally harmed her. He did acknowledge bouncing the baby on his knee and swinging her side to side in his arms. Police asked whether that could have caused an injury, and he allegedly replied, “Yeah.”
An autopsy found Lyla had four broken ribs, retinal hemorrhages, and bleeding and swelling in her brain. While a specific medical cause of death was not released, the medical examiner ruled the manner of death a homicide. The examiner told police the brain bleeding was consistent with an “acceleration-deceleration” injury pattern.
Samuels was initially arrested on Jan. 17 and charged with domestic violence elevated aggravated assault and two counts of violating bail. After Lyla’s death, prosecutors filed a murder charge, police said. He is being held at the Penobscot County Jail on $250,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 13.
Collins’ family has started a GoFundMe to help cover Lyla’s funeral and other related expenses.
