INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: A one-year-old child in Indiana lost her life due to her father's "bear hug." Damian Milton, 28, was arrested for allegedly killing his infant daughter Amaya Milton in their home.
According to the medical examination, the daughter's neck ligaments had been ruptured, and a lack of oxygen caused her brain to swell, which contributed to her death.
Who is Damian Milton?
Damian Milton was taken into custody on Monday, August 7, and charged with one count of battery resulting in the death of a person under the age of 14, a level 1 crime, in the cruel killing of young Amaya Milton, as reported by Law&Crime.
The Indianapolis Star reports that Milton contacted 911 on July 31 because his daughter was having problems breathing and needed to be taken to Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health.
However, medical professionals swiftly determined that the toddler's injuries, which had a suspicious appearance, were fatal, and they alerted the Indianapolis Police Department.
The victim was admitted to the intensive care section of the hospital for treatment. Doctors said the child had serious swelling of her brain caused by a lack of oxygen, as well as ligament injuries to her neck. Her face was also covered with apparent scratches.
"The findings based off statements, medical injuries and history, were found to be highly suspicious for non-accidental/inflicted trauma," police stated in the affidavit, as per Indy Star.
According to reports, Milton first told authorities that the youngster had been "fussy" all morning after waking up, before suddenly developing respiratory problems and going unresponsive.
Milton also mentioned that she had been admitted to the same hospital for treatment around two weeks prior after falling and hitting her head on the carpet.
The child had no obvious wounds, but according to the report, Milton originally sought to claim that his daughter's injuries were the result of the previous fall.
Amaya's mother was reportedly at work on the day her daughter sustained the life-threatening injuries.
Sadly, Amaya was in the ICU for six days before she died on August 6 from her wounds. Her injuries may have resulted from being shaken ferociously, as per the hospital's Child Protection Team.
Did the 'bear hug' truly kill the child?
Milton apparently acknowledged being "mildly aggressive" with Amaya at various points during a different interview, and he claimed the scratches on her face were caused by his rubbing tears from her cheeks too roughly.
At some point, according to the affidavit, Milton allegedly admitted that the day before Amaya was hospitalized, he had grown angry with her and "yanked" her by the arm.
He reportedly also picked her up, and gave her a "bear hug" with her nose and mouth pressed into his chest while placing one of his hands on the back of her neck and squeezing while she gasped for air, the Indianapolis Fox affiliate WXIN reported.
According to reports, doctors informed the police that Amaya's injuries, including the lack of oxygen to her brain, may have resulted from the aforementioned bear hug. The exact cause of the child's death is yet to be known.
The suspect is being held in Marion County jail on a $80,000 bond pending the filing of official charges.
