Thunderstorms likely in the morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..
Tonight
Scattered thunderstorms in the evening. Cloudy skies overnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
HURRICANE, W.Va. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” A Putnam County woman has been charged in the death of her 16-day-old baby girl, who was reportedly taken to CAMC Women and ChildrenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Hospital with ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œserious injuriesÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ and later died, according to West Virginia State ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥.
At 9:40 p.m. Thursday, Trooper T.A. Fisher was dispatched to CAMC Women and ChildrenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Hospital regarding an ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œunresponsiveÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ 16-day-old baby, who had been transported from a Charles Court residence in Hurricane, West Virginia.
Initial information obtained by Fisher indicated the infant had allegedly sustained multiple serious injuries. Fisher was advised by CAMC medical staff that the injuries appeared to be suspicious/non accidental in nature, according to the a news release from WVSP.
The criminal complaint filed in Putnam County Magistrate Court states Fisher made contact with the baby at the hospital, observing ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œbruising around the throat, bruising on the back of the head, bruising around the left eye, and a swollen right arm that had been broken.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ The complaint further states the infant reportedly had six broken ribs.
Also on Thursday night, Fisher then conducted a follow-up investigation and interviewed the infantÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s mother, Brooke Kessler, 33, of Hurricane. According to WVSP, Fisher determined the infant received the injuries while in KesslerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s care.
According to the complaint, Kessler stated she did not break the babyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s arm and stated her husband ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œmay have done that when picking her up.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Kessler stated these events occurred two days prior (June 18), at her motherÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s residence.
Fisher also spoke with KesslerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s husband who, according to the complaint, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œstated that his wife has been struggling with postpartum depression and has been aggressive with their new baby.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ According to the complaint, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œ(KesslerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s husband) stated that he has had to stop her a few times from shaking the baby and that he would take the baby from her and have her cool off.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
When asked about the accusation made by his wife that he ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œmay haveÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ broken the babyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s arm, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œhe replied he would pick (his daughter) up and let her bounce on his chest but he was never aggressive with her,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ the complaint states.
Fisher spoke with KesslerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s mother-in-law, who stated since the baby was born on June 4, her son has been texting her stating he needs help with the baby, alleging Brooke Kessler was suffering from postpartum depression and not caring for the child. KesslerÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s mother-in-law stated she cared for the baby June 9-14.
Brooke Kessler was arrested Friday and charged with child abuse causing serious bodily injury, strangulation and malicious assault. The criminal complaint states she was interviewed for a second time by WVSP on Friday, stating that the events that allegedly harmed the baby occurred ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œaround early (Thursday) afternoonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ at the Charles Court residence, the complaint says.
On Sunday afternoon, the infant was taken off life support at CAMC Women and ChildrenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s Hospital and pronounced dead by medical staff.
On Monday morning, Fisher refiled criminal charges with the Putnam County prosecuting attorney, charging Brooke Kessler with death of a child by parent or guardian, according to WVSP.
The WVSP has ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œnot released anything specific as to the cause of death at this time,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ with regard to whether the death will be ruled as homicide or accidental, according to Capt. Robert Maddy of the WVSP. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
As of Monday evening, Brooke Kessler was listed as being lodged at Western Regional Jail, with no bond for the death of a child by parent or guardian charge and a $50,000 cash-only bail for charges of strangulation, malicious assault and wounding, and child neglect with severe injury. No preliminary hearing has been set, according to court records.
