A 33-year-old mother from West Virginia faces multiple charges related to the tragic death of her 16-day-old daughter. Reports indicate that she allegedly expressed to authorities feelings of irritation and suggested that she may have caused the fatal injuries by squeezing the infant too forcefully while attempting to burp her.
On Thursday, a grand jury in Putnam County officially charged Brooke N. Kessler with multiple offenses, including child abuse by a parent leading to death, child abuse causing serious bodily injury, child neglect resulting in death, strangulation, malicious assault, and domestic battery, as reported by the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office.
As previously reported, Kessler was initially taken into custody in June and faced a charge of child abuse causing serious bodily injury, which was subsequently elevated to abuse resulting in death.
On the evening of June 20, state police troopers responded to a call regarding a newborn baby with suspicious injuries at the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Women & Children’s Hospital, located in the 800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue N, as reported by West Virginia MetroNews.
When they reached the location, hospital personnel allegedly informed officials that the child had sustained “multiple, serious injuries” that “seemed to be suspicious/non-accidental in nature.” The injuries comprised six fractured ribs, a fractured arm, and contusions on the infant’s throat, eye, and back of the head.
A recent report from Charleston, West Virginia, reveals additional insights into the events as described in the criminal complaint obtained by local ABC and Fox affiliate WCHS.
According to the report, Kessler recounted a distressing sequence of purportedly abusive actions during a follow-up interview with detectives. She reportedly stated that earlier that day, while burping the baby, she had placed one hand on the back of the child’s head and around her neck due to feelings of irritation with both the baby and herself, which may have resulted in her squeezing too hard and causing those injuries.
Kessler consistently asserted that her intentions were not to harm her daughter and suggested that her husband might have been responsible for the baby’s arm injury.
Kessler reportedly claimed that she was unaware of any breaking ribs of the baby. Furthermore, in response to inquiries regarding the infant’s fractured arm, Kessler allegedly indicated that her spouse might have been accountable for that harm.
Kessler’s spouse refuted any claims of causing harm to their daughter. He allegedly informed investigators that his wife was experiencing postpartum depression, noting her frequent frustration and her struggles with changing the infant’s diapers or delivering essential care.
The husband mentioned that because of his wife’s postpartum depression, he requested his mother to look after their daughter from June 9 to June 14.
Kessler remains in custody at the Western Regional Jail with no option for bond.