MARRERO, La. - A 27-year-old man has been arrested on second-degree murder charges after a two-year-old child who was left in his care died from injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, a spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said Friday.
Seth Redell was picked up at his parents home in Harvey Friday after the child, identified as Hayden Umbenhower, succumbed to his serious injuries at University Medical Center.
According to Colonel John Fortunato, EMS responded to a call in the 600 block of Ullo Avenue in Marrero early Sunday morning, April 24.
Investigators said Redell told them that he was caring for his girlfriend's child and that he had a minor fall near the back door. The child was rushed to University Medical Center and had emergency surgery for severe internal head injuries.
Fortunato said that officers found evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia in Redell's home and that he was brought to the investigation bureau for questioning where they say his story changed numerous times on how the child was injured. He was arrested that day for second-degree cruelty to a juvenile and booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center.
While at UMC, physicians said Umbenhower was suffering from subdural hematomas, brain swelling, retinal hemorrhaging in both eyes - all injuries that were consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
When Umbenhower died Friday, an arrest warrant was issued for Redell on second-degree murder charges and he was arrested at his parents' home.
