Before parents leave the hospital with their newborns, they are educated about the dangers of shaking a baby – even for just a moment. Shaken baby syndrome can cause lifelong brain damage and even death. Tragically, a Pennsylvania dad was recently charged after his newborn died after allegedly being shaken and dropped.
Eriezer Melendez Jr., 37, was arrested and charged following the death of his 3-month-old baby. On November 15, the infant was unresponsive and taken to a nearby hospital. Melendez faces serious charges after his baby girl died from her injuries.
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On November 15, the baby girl was unresponsive and taken to a hospital.
On November 14, Melendez and the baby’s mother stayed overnight at a relative’s home in Perry County, Pennsylvania, Fox 43 News reported. The infant was discovered unresponsive the following morning and was taken to a hospital via EMS. When she arrived, the baby girl was in cardiac arrest.
The infant had serious injuries and died days later.
The baby sustained “extensive subdural hematomas and was comatose” when Hershey Medical Center staff examined her, according to police, per ABC 27 News. As police noted in charging documents, the infant’s injuries were nearly fatal. She died from them November 24.
At first, the mother and father's accounts of what happened were the same.
Melendez later admitted to dropping and shaking the baby.
When troopers questioned Melendez and the baby’s mother at the hospital, “deviations” in his story became apparent, Fox 43 News reported. Melendez admitted to dropping the newborn after he fell asleep while caring for her. Additionally, he said he gave this daughter a shake “one good time” to try and wake her up after the incident.
The Pennsylvania dad has been charged after the newborn died from being shaken.
Melendez faces a slew of charges related to his daughter’s death. According to the Daily Voice, they include four felonies and one misdemeanor:
- Felony 1: Aggravated assault — victim less than 13 years old and defendant 18 or older.
- Felony 2: Aggravated assault —victim less than 6 years old and defendant 18 or older.
- Felony 2: Endangering the welfare of children —parent/guardian commits the offense.
- Felony 1: Aggravated assault — attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference.
- Misdemeanor 1: Simple assault.
Melendez was being held without bail at Perry County Prison, the Daily Voice reported. A preliminary hearing was set for December 4.
