Virginia couple Matthew and Elizabeth Sebolka who blamed baby's death on cat arrested
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: A Virginia couple has been charged with physically abusing their 10-day-old daughter who died from head injuries. After the newborn baby dies, the father allegedly blamed her death on the family cat.
Matthew and Elizabeth Sebolka were arrested on Monday, August 23 in Richmond for allegedly abusing their newborn daughter, Raven Michelle Sebolka, at home last month. Both of them are charged with child abuse and neglect. Police said additional charges are pending. The police department was on alert after the couple brought the newborn to VCU Medical Center on July 30 suffering severe injuries. The newborn had bruises on her head, a skull fracture and signs of potential suffocation.
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When Investigators interrogated the child’s father, he said that left his daughter in her car seat when he went to the bathroom. He allegedly claimed that the family’s cat was sitting on the baby’s neck when he came back out, according to police sources. Matthew further added that he alerted the child’s mother and she allegedly noticed the baby had a rash and puffy eyes. She then allegedly took her daughter to the local hospital by bus. Raven died in the hospital on August 10, 2021, and the medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide. Criminal records revealed that Sebolka previously was charged with animal cruelty in Richmond. Those charges were later dropped, but Sebolka was found guilty on three counts of inadequate care of an animal by the owner.
In an online obituary for Raven, her grandparents have said, "The family asks that in lieu of flowers or donations you hold your children a little longer, rock them a little more, read them another story and rejoice in each happy smile." The Sebolkas were booked into the Richmond jail within hours of each other on Monday, August 23 night where they remain held without bond. The two each have a court date set for 10:50 a.m. on September 21, 2021.