CARBONDALE, Pa. — A one-month old girl from Carbondale who was hospitalized last week because her father allegedly shook her has died, authorities in Lackawanna County said Monday.
The baby's father, Chase Hawley, is in police custody for assault and may face additional charges pending the outcome of an autopsy scheduled early this week, said county First Assistant District Attorney Brian Gallagher.
Hawley, 23, admitted to police he harmed his infant daughter, Cecilia Hawley, while trying to feed her Tuesday, according to an affidavit filed by Carbondale police and detectives from the district attorney's office. The young father was left alone with the infant after her mother, Krista Rossetti, left for work.
Hawley tried feeding the infant, but she cried and "she would not take the bottle," Hawley told police. Frustrated he forced the bottle into the girl's mouth, drawing blood.
Then, the police said, Hawley admitted he shook her. He demonstrated to the police how he did so using a loaf of bread and a teddy bear, investigators said in an affidavit.
"He expressed that he was frustrated and irritated, suggesting he may have shaken the child more than he initially indicated," police wrote in a report.
The baby went pale and limp. Hawley tried running the little girl a bath but she did not react to the water. She did not respond to another attempt at feeding either.
Hawley waited another 20-to-30 minutes before calling 911 because he was afraid of what may happen, he told authorities.
The baby was hospitalized and examined by doctors. Physicians told investigators the baby suffered an "acute head injury" and the prognosis was not good.
As last week came to a close, Cecilia Hawley died.
"Despite all efforts to save her, it is with deep sorrow that Cecilia’s injuries are just too severe to survive," read a fundraising campaign established to help the infant's mother and sister. "What every parent fears most has become Krista’s unimaginable reality. Krista is facing what no mother should ever have to.. The heartbreak of saying goodbye to her baby girl."
Chase Hawley remained locked up in lieu of $100,000 set Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge Christopher J. Szewczyk. He does not yet have an attorney, according to court filings.
A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled Oct. 29.
