Dad arrested in death of 5-month-old daughter (Harrison County, West Virginia)

Dad WILLIAM ECHARD is accused of shaking his 5-month-old infant daughter, who has now died from her injuries. A "girlfriend" is also charged for "allowing" it.

http://www.wdtv.com/news/local/51308427.html

Dad Arrested After Baby's Death

WDTV News
Story Created: Jul 21, 2009 at 10:20 AM EDT
Story Updated: Jul 21, 2009 at 12:30 PM EDT

A five month old infant is dead, meaning more charges for the child's father and an arrest for the man's girlfriend.

It's an update to a story you saw First on 5 last week.

The Harrison County Sheriff's Department says the girl died yesterday afternoon.

The father, William Echard, was charged last week with three counts of child abuse with serious injury. Now a new arrest warrant has been issued, accusing him of felony child abuse resulting in death.

Echard allegedly took the girl under his arms and allowed her head to shake back and forth.

Investigators say that damaged her brain and caused it to swell.

Authorities have also arrested Echard's girlfriend, 22 year-old Amber Messenger. She's charged with allowing death of child by parent by child abuse.

Both are being held in the North Central Regional Jail.

The girl's death is still under investigation.