Unamused Cat
August 23rd, 2008, 05:03 PM
GARY -- Five-month-old Ryne White didn't drown in the kitchen sink like his father told police and medics Thursday afternoon.
"This infant had multiple blows to the head," Lake County Coroner David J. Pastrick said Friday after an autopsy was completed.
"I am ruling this death a homicide," he said.
Upon learning the baby had skull fractures and other injuries from blunt force trauma, detectives returned to the apartment where the baby died and brought his father to the police station to question him further.
Ryne White Sr., 24, was arrested late Friday. Detective Willie Ervin is expected to present the case to the prosecutor this weekend.
Cmdr. Jack Arnold declined to comment additionally on the investigation.
When emergency personnel arrived at 4377 W. 23rd Ave. in Oak Knoll Renaissance apartments about 1 p.m. Thursday, the baby was dead and both his parents were present.
His father said he was bathing the child in the kitchen sink when his 9-month-old daughter started crying in an upstairs bedroom. White said he left his son in the water and when he returned after checking on the girl, Ryne had drowned.
Pastrick said he found no water in the baby's lungs or stomach, indicating the child did not drown.
Police said Thursday the infant's mother returned home and attempted unsuccessfully to resuscitate the child.
Pastrick said none of the baby's facial injuries were consistent with even a vigorous application of CPR.
http://www.post-trib.com/news/1122800,gbaby.article
"This infant had multiple blows to the head," Lake County Coroner David J. Pastrick said Friday after an autopsy was completed.
"I am ruling this death a homicide," he said.
Upon learning the baby had skull fractures and other injuries from blunt force trauma, detectives returned to the apartment where the baby died and brought his father to the police station to question him further.
Ryne White Sr., 24, was arrested late Friday. Detective Willie Ervin is expected to present the case to the prosecutor this weekend.
Cmdr. Jack Arnold declined to comment additionally on the investigation.
When emergency personnel arrived at 4377 W. 23rd Ave. in Oak Knoll Renaissance apartments about 1 p.m. Thursday, the baby was dead and both his parents were present.
His father said he was bathing the child in the kitchen sink when his 9-month-old daughter started crying in an upstairs bedroom. White said he left his son in the water and when he returned after checking on the girl, Ryne had drowned.
Pastrick said he found no water in the baby's lungs or stomach, indicating the child did not drown.
Police said Thursday the infant's mother returned home and attempted unsuccessfully to resuscitate the child.
Pastrick said none of the baby's facial injuries were consistent with even a vigorous application of CPR.
http://www.post-trib.com/news/1122800,gbaby.article