Cops: 4-month-old was killed
Upper Darby police have received autopsy results that show the death of a 4-month-old baby boy in November was a homicide and all four family members who were present in the house when the child was found unresponsive are now refusing to cooperate with autorities, according to police.
Cops: 4-month-old was killed
Stephanie Farr
Upper Darby police have received autopsy results that show the death of a 4-month-old baby boy in November was a homicide and all four family members who were present in the house when the child was found are now refusing to cooperate with authorities, according to police.
The infant was found unresponsive in his home around 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 6 and was taken to Delaware County Memorial Hospital, where doctors were able to get the boy breathing again, said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood.
The child, who showed no visible signs of trauma, was then transported to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where he died four days later, police said.
On May 1st, police received autopsy results that showed the boy had a fractured right femur bone, which is consistent with child abuse, Chitwood said. Beyond that, the child's cause of death was listed as a cranial issue and the manner of death was listed as homicide, Chitwood said.
There were four family members in the house with the child when he was found unresponsive - his 38-year-old mother, his 17-year-old sister, his 21-year-old cousin and a 38-year-old family friend whom the children referred to as an uncle, Chitwood said.
While all four were initially cooperative with police, once the death was ruled a homicide the family lawyered up and became uncooperative, he said.
"They know who killed that baby. It's a family member that killed this kid and they're not cooperating and that's a disgrace," Chitwood said. "The police care more about this child than the family does."
Chitwood is slated to hold a press conference this afternoon to urge the responsible party to come forward.
Omerta.— bbk713- Chitwood is holding a press conference? No, I can't believe it. How are you people in Upper Darby enjoying the Mike Chitwood show? Neil Ferber loved it.— Philly Born
- I wish our police chief would do press conferences and act like he actually cares about our city. Who is our police chief? Ramsey or something? — towelie
- Ramsey makes $195,000.00 a year.
He's knows nothing about crime!
He is a paper pusher.— Liberty_1776 - Why did it take 6 months to receive the autopsy?— MissV
- Might have to do with a backlog of all the homicides & drug deaths in Philly. It's not like TV where they can knock out an autopsy in 3 hours. Even blood toxicology reports can take over a month to get back.
— verve - Why are there complaints about a detective's media time when a baby is dead and family members are to blame?— nikki1231
- Yes, it's true Chitwood likes camera, but he's just doing his job - and a good one at that. He's a great cop and Upper Darby is lucky to have him.
As for our Police Chief Ramsey, he has no problem going in front of the camera's when necessary. He is way better than the uninspiring and leadership lacking Sylvester Johnson who last held the position. Ramsey has done a great job, and put's in a ton of time and dedication on the job.— gaffer broadcaster 
Comment removed.- The police chief is not supposed to be Superman; he/she is supposed to be a competent administrator. I wish the "leaders" of the banking/investment/business/Wall Street community were as honest and competent as Chitwood/Ramsey.— mick-of-the-moment
- I bet those animals would cooperate after a few minutes of waterboarding.— ct23
- Don't make this story all about Superintendent Mike Chitwood. It is about a child killer being protected by aiders and abetters. My bet is on the "uncle" as the doer. As for Superintendant Chitwood using the media, that's a two-way deal. The press and the cops have partnered from time in memorial to solve crime. It is how it often works. And, smart cops and reporters know it. Good work Superintendant and the Upper Darby PD. If anyone hasn't notice, UDPD has been doing a great job under Michael Chitwood.— BillyBob369
- How about this scenario. One of the family members was carrying the baby, and they slipped and fell, causing the baby to fall. Upon picking the baby up, they do not see any visible injuries and assume the baby is okay. The baby seems calm, eats fine. They put the baby to sleep. In the middle of the night they check on the baby and find him unresponsive, and call 911. They all come to the conclusion that the fall was more serious than any of them had originally thought. After the baby dies, the family begins getting interrogated by the police and "lawyers up." The lawyer tells them not to cooperate, which is what ANY intelligent and competent lawyer would do. In fact, the police aren't even allowed to talk to the family once they are represented by a lawyer. So this cop is essentially saying that the family is "not cooperating" which is incorrect. They simply got a lawyer and are following advice and the rules of the legal system. Dumb laypersons attribute various malevolent conclusions to the family getting a lawyer because they're well, dumb laypersons. — URANIUM235
- Did you think that up all on your own?
Come on now, I bet your eight-year-old daughter made a significant contribution to the narrative - didn't she? - A child has been murdered. This child`s right to a life has been terminated. How sad that the family, those who are closest to this child and who should be showing him the best love, is now participating in its cover up. If they can treat a child like that, imagine how they would treat you. They will have to answer to God and there will be no lawyer there on that day. Proves that being a physical adult does not make one mature.— denjamr
