ABERDEEN, Md. (WBAL) – A Maryland mother is facing charges after the death of her 5-month-old daughter. Detectives say the little girl suffered multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds and numerous other life-threatening injuries.
Maya Dennis, 32, is charged with first degree murder and child abuse after the death of her 5-month-old daughter.
The mother called 911 last Saturday and said her little girl wasn’t breathing, according to court charging documents. The baby had been in the neonatal intensive care unit since birth and only just got home right before Christmas.
First responders rushed the 5-month-old to Johns Hopkins Pediatric Trauma Center. Authorities say the medical team called the sheriff’s office last Sunday morning, saying the baby’s injuries were serious and indicative of child abuse.
Detectives say the little girl had multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds, a fractured leg and numerous other life-threatening injuries. She died at the hospital on New Year’s Eve.
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler says Dennis admitted to “her involvement in the injuries to the child” while talking to investigators.
“Here, around the holiday season, to be involved in the case of a murder of a defenseless (child), it’s truly a heartbreaking thing for our people,” Gahler said.
Dennis is being held without bail. Prosecutors expect an indictment on the two current charges, plus new ones pending autopsy results, before her next court date later in January.
The 5-month-old victim is survived by her twin brother and five other siblings. Authorities say two of the five surviving children didn’t live with Dennis, and the other three are being cared for by their grandparents.
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