Maine: Baby Lyla found dead after first solo time with father Shawn Samuels

A 12-week-old baby girl has died after being left alone with her father for the first time.

Police say the child’s father, 24-year-old Shawn Samuels, has been arrested on multiple charges including domestic violence elevated aggravated assault, violation of bail, and murder.

According to a statement from police in the US state of Maine, an emergency call was received on on January 16 reporting that an infant was unresponsive.

The baby, identified as Lyla Samuels, was taken to a medical centre in Bangor after first responders performed CPR, which briefly restored her breathing.

Samuels was initially arrested on January 17 for domestic violence elevated aggravated assault and two counts of violating bail. The next day, Lyla died, and police say “the manner of death was ruled homicide.”

Following a January 19 autopsy, Samuels was charged with murder and remains in custody.

According to The Boston Globe, a relative who called 911 told dispatchers “the father of this child is alone with the child for the first time.”

Mr Samuels pleaded not guilty during a January 21 court appearance, where his bail was set at $250,000. His next hearing is scheduled for February 13.

An autopsy report reviewed by the Bangor Daily News revealed that Lyla had four broken ribs, retinal hemorrhages, and brain swelling.

Chief Medical Examiner Alice Briones ruled that the brain bleeding was the result of an acceleration-deceleration injury, saying it “would not have occurred in a healthy baby.”

Lyla’s mother, Leah Collins, described her daughter as “a gift from God, returned to Heaven much too soon,” and said she is “missed beyond what words could ever express, but will forever stay in our hearts as the precious, perfect baby girl that she is,” in an interview with BDN.

Relatives also took to social media to pay tribute. Elizabeth Collins wrote on Facebook: “The sweetest, smiliest, most beauuuutiful little light. She’s already so missed. We remember her and all the love, joy and giggles she brought to us. Rest in peace, pretty girl. Auntie loves you to the moon.”

Nick Collins added, “Lyla, we miss and love you so much. You will always be remembered as Leah’s perfect little nugget.”

A GoFundMe campaign set up to support Leah and her family has raised more than $10,000 so far. “This family is loved by so many people,” family friend Jeremy Boutot wrote on the page.

“They would never ask for this type of support on their own but we refuse to allow them to suffer alone or assume this burden without the support of their friends, family, and community.”

“We know this amount doesn’t sound like much to help with this, and to be honest, it’s not. It’s really just a drop in the bucket, but we have faith there is still good in this world. We refuse to let the darkness win.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.