In Pennsylvania, Father charged with homicide in infant's death | Shaken Baby Syndrome

A New Brighton man was reportedly charged with criminal homicide today in the death of his 2-month-old daughter last month.

Robert Heibert, had originally been charged with aggravated assault reportedly, but New Brighton police and Beaver County detectives reportedly withdrew the original charges after reviewing results of an autopsy performed by the Allegheny County Coroner's office, according to a New Brighton police report.

Heibert reportedly admitted to police that he shook and spanked Melanie Alexander, born May 10, before she died on July 26.

The police report reportedly said Alexander died of “severe brain trauma” and doctors at UPMC Children’s Hospital told police her injuries were consistent with those found in shaken baby syndrome.

Heibert reportedly told police the child was crying and he shook her with such force that her chin struck her chest in a whiplash-like motion. When emergency response professionals were summoned to Heibert’s residence, they found Alexander without a heartbeat, according to the report.

The Allegheny County Coroner’s office, after performing an autopsy on July 27, reportedly listed homicide as the cause of Alexander’s death, according to police.

Heibert is reportedly in the Beaver County Jail, according to online records.

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If you have any questions or concerns about what can be done to help babies who have been shaken, or families of babies who have died, please call Christopher Keane and The Keane Law Firm toll-free for free consultation at (888) 592-5437 (KIDS), click on contact us here, or use the web form provided at http://www.keanelaw.com