Wisconsin caretaker charged in 5-month-old girl's death said she fell off chair: Prosecutor

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (WITI) -- Charges were filed on Wednesday, June 12 against a Sheboygan man, 19, in the death of a 5-month-old baby girl.

On May 31, around 10 a.m., Sheboygan police were called to a home near 11th Street and Indiana Avenue for a report of an infant not breathing. Authorities rushed an unresponsive 5-month-old child to Memorial Hospital — performing CPR until she arrived at the emergency room. Life-saving measures continued, but the baby was pronounced dead shortly before 11 a.m.

An autopsy was conducted, and doctors determined the baby suffered a head injury that would have been caused hours prior to her death. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Investigators questioned Andrew Walker, who was caring for the girl the morning of her death. Walker stated nothing out of the ordinary happened with the baby the morning of May 31. However, when officials told Walker the autopsy revealed the child's injury was a result of a previous injury, he disclosed new information.

The criminal complaint said around 6 a.m. that morning, Walker stated he put the baby on a chair leaning backwards at approximately a 45-degree angle, with her back against the cushions. He said the chair had arms on each side and her legs almost reached the edge of the chair. Walker told officials he “thought there was enough space” and went to go do dishes. That's when, according to the criminal complaint, Walker “heard a thud” and the baby crying.

Walker told officials he gave the child a Tylenol and swaddled her to calm her down. He stated the child fell asleep and was breathing when he put her into the crib.

Detectives asked Walker why he didn't tell them about the fall earlier in the investigation. Walker told officials he was scared and said, “Do you know how many times parents get accused just because a kid falls?”

Walker was charged with neglecting a child, consequence is death.