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NORWALK, Conn. A Norwalk man was arrested Friday in connection with the death of his 3-month-old daughter, according to a statement from Lt. Ashley Gonzalez, commander of the Norwalk Police Department Youth Bureau.
Justin Smith, 28, of 8 Highland Court was charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor. Bond was set at $750,000.
According to Gonzalez:
Hailey Pamela Smith, who was 3 months old, was admitted to Stamford Hospital on July 27 suffering from a severe head injury. Norwalk police were notified. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital but died July 30.
Detective Michael Murray investigated and found that Hailey had received treatment for a previous head injury July 2. On both occasions, the infant was under the care of her father, Justin Smith, 28, of 8 Highland Court.
The medical examiner's office conducted an autopsy Aug. 2. After receiving laboratory results, the office released an autopsy report Nov. 8 revealing that the infant suffered skull fractures. Blunt head trauma was the cause of death, and manner of death was classified as a homicide.
Upon receiving the medical examiner's findings and official autopsy report, police applied for an arrest warrant for Justin Smith. The warrant was approved Friday, and Smith was taken into custody at his home.
The investigation remains open, and additional arrests may follow.
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