4-Month-Old Florida Girl Dies After Woman Struck Her Head Against Changing Table, Suspect Arrested

A Florida woman was arrested for murdering a child on Wednesday (May 27).

Police responded to reports of an injured baby on Tuesday (May 26) night. When the officials arrived at the scene, they found a 4-month-old baby girl with a fractured skull and multiple bruises. The baby was unresponsive at the time and was transported to Winter Haven Hospital for treatment. However, she succumbed to her injuries about an hour later.

The accused, identified as 28-year-old Samantha Mariel Angeles-De La Rosa, had told them that the baby suffered injuries after a 21-month-old toddler pulled the baby off a changing table. She also said the toddler had been “rough” with the baby in the past and had used toys to hit the baby’s face.

However, the autopsy reports showed that the baby had a fractured skull which leads to bleeding in her brain and contusions. According to the medical examiner, those injuries could not be caused by a two or three-foot fall onto the carpet. It was revealed that the child also suffered two rib fractures and another fracture that was reportedly caused by “significant force”.

The medical examiner said the infant’s injuries were not consistent with an accident and also that they were caused by intentional force. He ruled the manner of death as a homicide.

When interviewed by detectives, Angeles-De La Rosa admitted that she recently got mad and squeezed the victim’s abdomen and continued to blame the child’s death on the toddler.

She said the baby started crying while she was changing the child’s diaper Tuesday. Angeles-De La Rosa said she was thinking about “how overwhelmed she is in life” and then “lost it in a split second,” and admitted that she grabbed the baby by the shoulders and struck her head against the changing table.

The relationship between the victim and the accused was not revealed.

Angeles was charged with one count second-degree murder, and two counts aggravated child abuse. She was being held without bond.

“There is absolutely no excuse to hurt a baby. We will hold this woman accountable for her actions. If anyone caring for a child is feeling overwhelmed or out of control, please seek help from family, friends, clergy, or a social services agency. Get help,” said Grady Judd from Polk County Sheriff’s Office.