An Ohio man is accused of killing his 4-month-old daughter and critically wounding her twin sister, who suffered four fractured ribs.
Andrew Kammerer, 33, claimed his 4-month-old daughter, Evelyn, fell off a table during a diaper change before it was discovered that her and her twin’s serious injuries were consistent with a brutal attack in a home where a hole had reportedly been punched in a door.
Prosecutors claimed the dead baby’s injuries were not the result of an accident, but rather of an escalating pattern of assault that led to her death.
The man made his first appearance in Clermont County Common Pleas Court on Friday, pleading not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, and endangering children. If found guilty, he may face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
According to the prosecution in Clermont County, Ohio, Kammerer called 911 on November 4 to report that his daughter was having problems breathing following a fall. He then contacted 911 again once authorities were on their way to advise them that his daughter, born in July, was no longer breathing.
When the father was notified of both babies’ conditions in the hospital, he said he “didn’t know his strength”. After calling from a suburb outside Cincinnati, Kammerer’s daughter was sent to the hospital, then moved again to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, where an MRI revealed hemorrhage around Evelyn’s brain, which contradicted the accident description. Evelyn’s injuries were deemed to be incompatible with life.
After she died from her injuries, the Coroner’s office reported that she had sustained extensive internal trauma to the brain, spinal column, and liver, which contradicted the allegation of an accidental fall. Evelyn’s twin sister had also been gravely hurt, and they filed a complaint charging Kammerer with felonious assault after discovering four broken ribs in the process of healing when evaluating the infant.
It was discovered that the newborn had been subjected to “an extraordinarily violent attack,” which affected her eyes and spine and caused internal hemorrhage.
The man cried throughout his arraignment, keeping his head firmly down and not looking at anyone in the courtroom. Kammerer might now face the rest of his life in prison. The prosecutor successfully proposed that the man be imprisoned and asked for a $5 million bond.
The defense attorney unsuccessfully requested that the bond be reduced so Kammerer could remain with his parents. Kammerer’s bail conditions include not being able to contact the baby or any other kid under the age of 18. It is unknown whether he will be able to post bond due to the huge amount, thus he is currently being held at Clairemont County Jail.
Reference; Ohio dad ‘kills 4-month-old daughter and injures her twin sister as he didn’t know his own strength’