Virginia Toddler Killed Following Domestic Violence, Her Mother Viciously Attacked By Man Who Lived With Them

The Radford police department in Virginia on Sunday confirmed the identity of an unresponsive person who died post domestic violence as a two-year-old girl.

The unnamed toddler was found unresponsive inside a house and rushed to New River Valley Medical Center early morning on Friday by Radford Fire and Emergency Medical Services. They responded to the house after receiving information regarding an unresponsive person.

Following further investigation, the officers found out it was the aftereffect of domestic violence. The officers were able to narrow down on the suspect and arrested 33-year-old Andrew Jonathan Byrd the same morning without incident. He was charged with abduction, strangulation, and assault and battery of a household member. On Sunday, police announced the toddler died and the accused may face additional charges following an autopsy.

According to the statement the child’s mother gave to the police, Byrd, who lived with her, picked her up from work on Thursday night and when she noticed something is wrong with her baby she asked him to take them to the hospital.

But he bluntly denied her plea and punched her in the ear before speeding away to a house. After he managed to get them inside the house, he continued to attack the woman. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her around the house and at one point started strangling her, almost knocking her out. She was bitten on her left hand and the left side of her face.

He then picked up his shotgun and hit her hard with the butt of the gun before shoving the barrel into her mouth and threatened to kill her if she informed the police. The statement said injuries to her mouth were clearly visible.

Based on the search warrant issued, the police frisked the house and found a shotgun, meth and other drug paraphernalia. The police found multiple glass smoking devices, small zip-lock bags with residue, and plastic bags with plant material. According to the police, these substances were used to consume methamphetamine.

Byrd was booked into the New River Valley Regional Jail. No bond was set on him.

According to the police, the child was not related to Byrd. This was an ongoing investigation and no further information was available at the moment.