A West Virginia mother has been charged with death of a child by parent or guardian after her newborn baby died at a hospital, according to multiple news outlets.
An investigation into Brooke Kessler, 33, of Hurricane, began on June 20 after staff at a hospital where her 16-day-old baby was being treated told state police troopers that the baby’s injuries appeared to be suspicious, according to WSAZ, WOWK-TV and WCHS-TV.
Police said in a criminal complaint that the baby had “multiple, serious injuries,” noting that she had bruising on her throat, eye and head, along with a broken arm and ribs, WCHS-TV reports.
On June 23, the baby died after being taken off life support, police said, according to WSAZ.
Investigators later spoke with Kessler, the baby’s mother, who allegedly claimed that she became “irritated with the baby” and “probably squeezed” her daughter “too hard” while burping her, per the complaint cited by WCHS-TV. The complaint further alleges that Kessler said she “did not intend to squeeze that hard.”
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According to WOWK-TV, Kessler is being held in the Western Regional Jail. It’s unclear if she has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf.
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