Florida woman kills baby by hitting her head against table, says she was too 'overwhelmed by child's crying'
BARTOW, FLORIDA: A woman was arrested after a four-month-old baby was found with a fractured skull and multiple bruises at the time of her death. Samantha Mariel Angeles-De La Rosa was arrested on Wednesday, May 27, on murder and child abuse charges. According to detectives, the victim was in her care, but they did not disclose the accused woman's relationship with the baby.
Detectives and first responders arrived at the 28-year-old’s suspect’s home around 9.45 pm on Tuesday, May 26, where they found an unresponsive baby, who had bruises on her body, head and face. However, it was not clear who called the police to the scene. After finding the victim in such a distressful condition, detectives soon rushed her to Winter Haven Hospital. But the victim died an hour later.
Detectives said Angeles initially told them that the baby was hit by a toddler inside the home, who pulled her off a changing table and onto the floor, causing the injuries. She also alleged that the toddler has been "rough" with the victim in the past and used toys to strike the baby in the face. The relationship between the toddler and the baby was not specified.
However, later an autopsy gave a different story as it showed the baby had a fractured skull causing a brain bleed and contusions. The medical examiner said those injuries were not possible due to a two or three-foot fall onto the carpet. The examiner added that there were two healing rib fractures and one healing fracture caused by "significant force" that was "not consistent with an accident and injuries were caused by intentional force." He said that the death was a homicide, as reported by Fox 13.
According to reports, after the autopsy, Angeles was re-interviewed by the detectives and she told them she previously pulled the baby out of the car seat, and the baby's arm was caught in the seat belt. She also said after getting mad, she squeezed the baby so hard around the abdomen that it led her to cry. The incident occurred "over the last several weeks”, officials added.
The detectives also said that initially, Angeles continued blaming the toddler for the baby’s death. Only later did she admit that she hurt her. Officials said Angeles was changing the baby's diaper on May 26 morning when she was crying. As per her affidavit, the accused began thinking about "how overwhelmed she is in life," and she began crying too. Then, Angeles "lost it in a split second," grabbed the baby's shoulders, and struck her head two times against the wood frame of the changing table.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement: “There is absolutely no excuse to hurt a baby. We will hold this woman accountable for her actions. If anyone caring for a child is feeling overwhelmed or out of control, please seek help from family, friends, clergy, or a social services agency. Get help."
Judd also said that if anyone is aware of someone harming a child, they should inform local law enforcement agency about it or call the Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.