Duryea Bennett
Dead baby had fractured skull, broken ribs, bite marks; father arrested
by azfamily.com
PHOENIX -- Phoenix police say they have arrested the father in the suspicious death of a 1-month-old girl.
Police spokesman Sgt. Trent Crump said the father, Duryea Bennett, will be charged with murder and child abuse.
Police and firefighters responded to a 911 call near 43rd Avenue and Baseline Road just after 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Crump said the caller gave limited information about a child being injured.
Based on the information received, the call was dispatched as a drowning incident, according to Phoenix Fire Capt. Tony Mure.
He said the incident apparently happened in a bathtub but had not officially been ruled a drowning.
Natalyah Bennett had no vital signs when first responders arrived on the scene.
According to Sgt. Trent Crump, paramedics noticed bruising as they worked on her and rushed her to Phoenix Children's Hospital. As doctors at PCH tried to save Natalyah, they discovered that the baby was more than bruised.
"The hospital staff found numerous injuries to the infant to include numerous bruises, a skull fracture, fractured ribs, bite marks and injuries consistent with a sexual assault," Crump wrote in an email to media outlets.
Natalyah died at the hospital.
Her mother was not home at the time of the incident, but there were six other children in Bennett's care, including Natalyah's twin sister. The oldest of those kids is 14.
"None of the other children showed signs of abuse however the investigation is ongoing," according to Crump.
Police arrested Bennett, 39, on suspicion of first-degree murder and child abuse.
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Phoenix...278607721.html
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