A tragic incident has occurred in West Virginia, where a mother has been accused of fatally injuring her 16-day-old baby. Brooke Nicole Kessler, 32, has been charged with child abuse resulting in death after initially facing charges of causing serious bodily injury. This charge was upgraded following the infant’s death over the weekend.
The incident came to light after authorities were called to the Charleston Area Medical Center Women & Children’s Hospital on the evening of June 20. Hospital staff alerted the state police to suspicious injuries on the newborn, which included six broken ribs, a broken arm, and bruises on various parts of the body.
According to the criminal complaint, Kessler told investigators that she was burping her daughter earlier that day and, feeling irritated, may have squeezed the child too hard. She claimed the injuries, including the broken ribs, occurred when she picked up the baby by the chest to burp her. Kessler stated she did not intend to harm her daughter.
The case continues to develop as authorities and medical staff assess the full circumstances leading to the tragic outcome. Kessler was taken into custody and is being held in connection with the death of her daughter.