Oscar Pineda, 21, told officers that his two-month-old daughter, Aida Alvarado, died after a "supernatural force or Satan slammed a door on the child," a court heard. He is being held on remand alongside the baby's mother, Katerin Monzon-Alvarado, also 21.
Charges and hospital visit
The pair have been charged with child abuse, assault and reckless endangerment after Aida died in the basement of their home in Baltimore, US. Monzon-Alvarado took the baby to hospital when she became unresponsive while lying face down in bed after being fed, police said.
Doctors noticed suspicious bruising around the infant's eyes and jawlines, while the child tragically became unresponsive. A post-mortem later revealed the child had significant head and brain trauma with multiple skull fractures, police records show.
Parents' explanations
When questioned by police, Pineda said his daughter was injured due to a supernatural force or Satan slamming a door on the child, at a court hearing held on Friday. Monzon-Alvarado blamed her two-year-old son for the infant's injuries, saying the infant often jumps on the bed and the baby may have fallen, local media reports.
Prosecutors said the mother told investigators the child was "freezing and in shock" when she decided to take her to the hospital. They argue the injuries could not have been caused by a fall from a bed, and they may upgrade the charges to homicide based on the medical examiner's findings.
Background and legal outlook
Monzon-Alvarado denies allegations she killed her daughter. Both parents later admitted to investigators they noticed the child's injuries when the infant began vomiting the next day, but did not seek medical treatment.
Court records show the father has been living in the home for a year after moving from Glen Burnie. He works as a plumber. The mother works in a restaurant.
The parents currently face child abuse, assault and reckless endangerment charges that carry a maximum possible sentence of 55 years in prison. They have both been refused bail. Prosecutors may upgrade the charges based on the findings of the medical examiner. The case continues.
