LCPD: Man accused of ‘violently shaking’ infant daughter

Police arrested a Las Cruces man accused of “violently shaking his infant daughter” and causing severe injuries to the infant, police said in a news release.

Marcus Alton Minnick, 19, of the 1900 block of Calle de Suenos, is charged with a first-degree felony count of child abuse causing great bodily harm.

Investigators learned the child’s mother went to the store at about 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. The woman left her 7-week-old daughter in the care of Minnick, the child’s biological father.

While in the care of her father, the infant began crying. Police said Minnick removed the baby her from a bassinet and began shaking her back and forth.

Investigators said Minnick realized what he was doing and placed the baby back in the bassinet before leaving the room for a period of time. At some point, Minnick returned to the child and found her to be unresponsive.

Minnick allegedly told investigators he tried to wake up his daughter without success and discovered she was not breathing. He allegedly indicated he began performing CPR but did not call 911. Sometime later, the child’s mother returned home and called 911.

First responders arrived and performed CPR on the infant as she was transported to Memorial Medical Center. The infant was revived at the hospital, then transported to University Medical Center in El Paso.

Medical professionals at UMC told police investigators the child was diagnosed with hemorrhaging in the brain, severe bilateral retinal hemorrhage in both eyes, and global hypoxic brain injury, police said.

The infant was also malnourished, police said.

Upon further examination, medical professionals learned the child also has rib fractures that appeared to be two to three weeks old. Investigators learned that the child’s condition was considered to be critical and grave. The young girl remains hospitalized in El Paso. The investigation is ongoing.

A warrant was issued for Minnick’s arrest on Wednesday and he was detained by Las Cruces police officers that evening at his home. He was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.