Man Accused Of Abuse Faces More Charges After Girlfriend's Baby Dies 12 Days Later
WARREN (WWJ) - A Warren man jailed on child abuse charges is facing an even worse fate now that his girlfriend's 21-month-old daughter has died.
The child, whose name has not been released, was declared dead early Thursday morning, four days after she was removed from life-support machines. The girl had been hospitalized with severe injuries since April 4.
An autopsy to determine the exact cause of death is pending. However, doctors told police that the child's injuries were consistent with "shaken baby syndrome."
Gregory Lowe, the 28-year-old boyfriend of the girl's mother, was arrested the same day the baby's injuries were reported and charged with first-degree child abuse. However, because the baby has died, investigators are now hoping to charge Lowe with murder.
Sgt. Robert Eidt said investigators will be meeting with prosecutors on Friday to determine the exact charges. In the meantime, Lowe remains held in the Macomb County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
The case unfolded on April 4 when police received a call around 2:40 p.m. from a home in the 21000 block of LaSalle, near 8 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue. Police were initially told that the child had apparently fallen down the stairs and was unresponsive. When officers arrived on the scene, the child was described as feeling "c0ol to the touch," and was rushed to St. John Hospital in Detroit.
After examining the child, doctors notified police that her injuries seemed suspicious. Officers returned to the home and spoke with Lowe, who was babysitting the child alone at the time of the incident. Officers placed Lowe under arrest, saying he failed to legitimately explain the girl's injuries.
Lowe is not the father of the child.