Pennsylvania – A Pennsylvania man and woman were arrested and charged in connection with the death of their 1-week-old newborn baby, Zanne. The victim’s mom, 31-year-old AshIey, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child, while 34-year-old Trravis has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Their arrests followed a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the newborn’s death at the couple’s residence in Pennsylvania.
Authorities in Pennsylvania responded to a 911 call shortly after 2:30 a.m. on April 10. Upon arrival, they found the father performing CPR on the unresponsive baby, who was lying face-up on the edge of a bed in the living room.
Officers noted a large discoloration on the baby’s forehead. Emergency personnel were unable to revive the infant, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The County Coroner and Children and Youth Services were notified, and three other children in the home were placed in protective custody.
During police interviews, the parents gave conflicting statements. The baby’s father told officers he fell asleep around 11 p.m. and that the baby’s mother was usually responsible for feeding the newborn and putting him to bed. The mother told investigators she had been brestfeeding the baby at approximately 9:30 p.m. while lying on the bed and scrolling through social media on her phone. She said she must have fallen asleep with the baby in her arms and awoke to find him unresponsive next to her.
The newborn’s mom also admitted that although the baby usually slept in a portable crib, it had not been set up that night. When asked about the absence of a crib, the father told investigators they haven’t got around to it. Both parents acknowledged that the baby’s mom often fell asleep while holding the baby in bed.
Police obtained a search warrant to collect blankets, pillows, and clothing from the home in an effort to gather forensic evidence such as DNA, blood, hair, and fibers. Investigators were particularly interested in examining the sleeping environment, which they deemed unsafe for an infant.
District Judge RacheI arraigned both defendants. The woman’s bail was set at $50,000, and the man’s at $10,000; both were set at 10 percent. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for April 22. The case has drawn concern from local officials and child welfare advocates, who emphasize the importance of safe sleep practices for infants.