Dad to be charged with murder in death of 3-month-old daughter (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

Dad is identified as JOHN WILLIAM HOPE.

http://theadvocate.com/news/police/13129516-123/baton-rouge-infant-dies-of

Baton Rouge infant dies of injuries; father faces possible murder charges 

by danielle maddox| Aug. 09, 2015

An infant brought to the hospital Wednesday suffering from blunt force trauma has died, and the child’s father faces possible murder charges, authorities said Saturday.

East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark confirmed the child’s death on Saturday.

District Attorney Hillar Moore III said he anticipates the father will be charged with murder.

Staff working at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center called police about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday to report that John William Hope had brought in his 3-month-old child with life-threatening injuries — three skull fractures, multiple rib fractures, face and neck bruising, a bloody mouth and blood-shot eyes, according to police reports.

Hope and the baby’s mother, Christine Hope, told doctors their daughter had fallen off a changing table, but emergency room staff said the child’s injuries did not align with the parents’ story, the report says.

The staff said the baby’s injuries were not consistent with a fall. “Injuries around the (child’s) neck were consistent with someone grabbing the baby by the neck,” the report says.

John Hope was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after police were notified of the child’s injuries.

Clark said his office will conduct an autopsy of the child on Monday.