A Californian father has been accused of killing his 5-month-old baby. Authorities say he fell asleep on the baby after getting drunk.
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Per a
statement from the Paradise Police Department, the incident happened on January 19, just before midnight. They received a call alerting them to a baby not breathing. It is unknown who called the police to report it.Despite life-saving efforts from the police, Cal Fire, and Butte EMS personnel, the baby did not survive. The baby was shortly pronounced dead at the scene.
Officers began investigating and concluded that the baby's father, Daniel Eastman, had got drunk and fell asleep on the baby. This likely suffocated the baby. Police booked him into Butte County Jail, for the charges of Child Abuse Resulting in Great Bodily Injury or Death and Manslaughter.
His bail is $80,000.000.
"The investigation is ongoing, and the Department of Justice was called in to assist by processing the scene and collecting evidence. An autopsy will be scheduled to assist in determining the exact cause of death," the statement concluded.
Baby Dead After Intoxicated Father Sleeps On It
Police didn't reveal any details of the baby, likely for privacy reasons. It is unknown when Eastman will face court again, although he will likely plead guilty unless the autopsy reveals unprecedented information.
Information is also unknown about the mother, and what other company Eastman may have had at the time. Based exclusively on the statement, it's easy to assume that Eastman was parenting alone and had a drink. Whether the mother is around or if she was out at the time isn't known.
We will have to wait and see what comes out of the investigation. People have shared their thoughts by commenting under the police statement.
Many are sympathetic to the father, calling the incident a freak accident that will haunt the family and Eastman for the foreseeable future. Others, however, don't believe he should have been drinking around the baby in the first place, and his gross negligence has cost a baby its life.
It is a tragic situation to be sure. I hope the family can manage and overcome the overwhelming grief that has been pushed upon them.
