A 24-year-old Orrington man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of his 12-week-old daughter.
On Friday morning, dispatchers received a 911 call that a 12-week-old infant had become unresponsive. Members of the Orrington Fire and Rescue, the Brewer Fire Department and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence.
The infant, Lyla Samuels, was taken to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-North was called in to investigate due to the circumstances of the case.
Shawn Samuels was initially arrested Saturday on charges of domestic violence elevated aggravated assault and two counts of bail violation, according to Maine State Police spokesperson Shannon Moss.
On Sunday, investigators learned that the infant had died. An autopsy was performed Monday at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta. The cause of death is tentative pending final testing, but the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
After the autopsy, Samuels was charged with murder at the Penobscot County Jail, where he remains in custody. His initial court appearance is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the Penobscot County Judicial Center in Bangor via Zoom.
Anyone with relevant information should call 207-973-3700, ext. 9, and ask to speak with Det. Dana Austin.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse in Maine, call the Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-866-834-HELP.