A Florida man was arrested this week in the death of his 5-week-old daughter, who suffered a slew of horrifying critical injuries after he allegedly “shook and spanked” her, police said.
Dajuan Patrick, of Jacksonville, was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child on Wednesday – more than a year after his infant, Dahlia Siebenhaar, died, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
Dahlia was rushed to the hospital the night of Dec. 2, 2024 – brutally battered and unresponsive, authorities said.
An autopsy and medical records revealed the infant had serious head trauma, leaving her brain dead; broken ribs; bruises all over her body; and bleeding behind her eyes from “being shaken and held with extreme force,” investigators said.
She clung to life for 10 days until she was taken off life support. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide.
Patrick, 27, was allegedly taking care of Dahlia in their home the night she was fatally injured, while her mother was resting, WESH 2 reported.
The dad initially claimed he had no idea why his daughter was hurt before allegedly changing his story to claim he had tripped over a bag and landed on the baby, authorities said.
It is unclear why it took so long to arrest and charge the blue-haired suspect – who appeared emotionless while pursing his lips for his mugshot.
“The arrest in this case won’t bring Dahlia back or give her the childhood she deserved, but today we’re speaking up for her, because her life mattered,” Sheriff Mike Chitwood said in a statement.
Patrick was being held without bond in Jacksonville and was awaiting extradition to Volusia County.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.