Officials: Infant Dies After Sexual Assault In West Virginia
RIPLEY, W.Va. (AP/KDKA) - Authorities in West Virginia say a 9-month-old sexual assault victim has died.
Jackson County Sheriff Tony Boggs said the girl died of her injuries at a hospital Wednesday. WCHS reports that officials are calling it the worst case of sexual assault they have seen in two decades.
Thirty-two-year-old Benjamin Taylor of Cottageville was charged Monday with first-degree sexual assault and on Thursday was charged with first-degree murder. Taylor is the boyfriend of the victim's mother but is not the child's father.
According to a criminal complaint, the baby had extensive bleeding and a body temperature of 90 degrees. The complaint says the injuries indicated a violent sexual assault, as well as shaking or striking of the face.
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Taylor told deputies he took the baby to the basement of an apartment while doing laundry. He said he "blacked out" and didn't know how the baby's injuries occurred.
It's unclear whether Taylor has an attorney who could comment on the case.
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