Who is author Paul Auster’s son? Daniel arrested for MANSLAUGHTER in his baby's death
PARK SLOPE, NEW YORK: Renowned novelist Paul Auster's son has been arrested for manslaughter in the death of his 10-month-old daughter Ruby in Park Slope, police confirmed on Saturday, April 16. Daniel Auster, 44, was taking care of Ruby on the afternoon of November 1 when paramedics responded to a 911 call from the Brooklyn house.
The NYPD said that first-responders rushed to the residence and found the baby unconscious and unresponsive. She was taken to Methodist Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. As per an autopsy, Ruby died of an overdose of fentanyl and heroin. Daniel had claimed that he fell asleep with Ruby sleeping on his chest, and woke up to find the baby lifeless. It is unclear how Ruby ingested the drugs.
READ MORE
Daniel and Lacey Rawlings: Arizona duo spared jail after 3 kids drowned in creek joyride
Amina-Faye Johnson: 8-week-old infant dies with 60 broken bones, evil parents jailed
On Friday night, April 15, Daniel Auster was arrested and charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, police said. As of April 16, he was awaiting arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court.
Who is Paul Auster’s son Daniel Auster?
Daniel is the son of Paul Auster and his ex-wife Lydia Davis. Paul Auster is the famed author of 'The New York Trilogy', 'The Book of Illusions', 'The Music of Chance' and 'Moon Palace'. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1995 Wayne Wang film 'Smoke'.
Over two decades ago, Daniel pleaded guilty to stealing $3,000 from drug dealer Andre “Angel” Melendez, who was later killed by his roommate, New York party promoter “Club Kid Killer” Michael Alig, in 1996. Two of Daniel's neighbors recalled how they walked by the apartment building where Ruby died and saw infant items kept outside for anyone to take, after her death. “Everything — all the baby clothes, books, toys — it was just heartbreaking,” New York Post quoted one of the residents as saying.
Paul Auster, who wrote books such as 'The New York Trilogy', 'The Book of Illusions', and 'Moon Palace', first married writer Lydia Davis, Daniel's mother. The pair later divorced and Auster then married Minnesota-born novelist and essayist Siri Hustvedt. Siri Hustvedt is known for having written books like 'The Blindfold' and 'The Enchantment of Lily Dahl'. Her most renowned work is 2003’s 'What I Loved'.
Auster has won several international awards and has also been on the shortlist for the Booker Prize. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Both Auster and Hustvedt have written fiction that were reportedly based on or were inspired by, their issues with Daniel. 'What I Loved' chronicled the troubled relationship between an artist and his drug-addict son, and the son’s stepmother. The story traces how the son, named 'Mark' in the book, goes from a sweet, innocent boy to a dangerous young man who frightens his stepmom and upsets his father.
Auster also apparently wrote about a man based on Daniel in his 2004 novel named 'Oracle Night'. A writer named Trause narrates the story. Trause is reportedly an anagram of Auster, who has a son who is addicted to drugs and scares his stepmom.