The parents of a 6-week-old baby girl who died last month after suffering severe injuries have been charged with manslaughter.
The baby, Emily Babilonia, died last month. She suffered from cranial bleeding, bruising to the brain, bruising on her jaw and rib fractures, according to police and court paperwork.
The baby’s parents, 23-year-old Edwin Babilonia and 20-year-old Ashley Perez, of Hartford, were arrested last month and they appeared in court Friday.
The investigation started when police responded to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center on Thursday, May 24 to investigate.
Get top local stories in Connecticut delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Connecticut's News Headlines newsletter.
The court paperwork is redacted but says Perez told police that Edwin Babilonia dropped the baby.
Edwin Babilonia initially said Perez had abused the baby on several occasions, but police confronted him about inconsistencies in the statements and he confessed to accidentally dropping the baby and washing her face, according to police.
The baby is a twin and the other infant has been in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families after being evaluated.
Local
Edwin Babilonia and Perez were initially charged with risk of injury to a minor and cruelty to persons. Police have also charged Edwin Babilonia and Perez with first-degree assault and protective orders have been issued.
Officials said neither parent had a prior record and that officials from DCF said they had no prior involvement with the family.
They parents appeared in court on Friday and both parents have now been charged with manslaughter.
Edwin Babilonia's attorney said his client claims the children were having trouble sleeping and the injuries were accidental.
