A new mom and dad have been arrested for allegedly killing their 1-day-old baby boy while they were still in the hospital’s maternity ward.
Kevin Canaan, 28, and Yennifer Tavarez-Cepeda, 25, are accused of abusing their newborn son in a private room at the Tower Health Reading Hospital in Pennsylvania on May 2 shortly after his birth, prosecutors said Tuesday.
The tot, who medical staff say was born seemingly healthy, was “unexpectedly discovered to be in medical distress” in a patient recovery room some time later, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
The baby was pronounced dead after being rushed to Penn State Hershey Medical Center for advanced neonatal care.
Authorities started probing after medical staff reported that the baby’s injuries were not inflicted during the birth.
An autopsy later revealed the baby had suffered a slew of traumatic internal injuries, the DA’s office said.
The parents are accused of abusing their son in the short timeframe they were left alone in the recovery room, according to prosecutors.
Canaan and Tavarez-Cepeda were hit with a spate of charges, including criminal homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children.
