A Nebraska couple is facing criminal charges for abusing and killing their 4-month-old daughter, according to police. The father was “playing rough” with the infant before the mother returned home to what she described as “the worst cry I had ever heard.”
Ryan Greenwood, 36, and Tanya Greenwood, 28, were both charged with child abuse that resulted in the death of their baby on August 14, according to local reports.
According to court documents obtained by local CBS affiliate KOLN and the Lincoln Journal Star, Ryan Greenwood admitted to “playing rough” with his daughter, causing her to cry uncontrollably.
Tanya Greenwood reports that the child was given a bottle before going to bed, but she did not wake up at her usual time.
Ryan Greenwood allegedly claimed their daughter was “perfectly fine” when he checked on her around 11 p.m. that night, according to court documents. Ryan Greenwood discovered the baby the next day, and she was unresponsive and cold to the touch, according to police.
Ryan Greenwood allegedly performed CPR on the child before calling Tanya Greenwood and 911, according to police.
According to KOLN, Tanya Greenwood claimed she wanted to take their child to a medical facility for help, but Ryan Greenwood allegedly told her not to.
An autopsy later revealed that the child died of a traumatic brain injury and had other injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.
An abuse specialist at a local children’s hospital determined that the injuries were not accidental and that the infant’s chances of survival could have been improved with immediate medical attention, according to KOLN.
According to jail records, Ryan Greenwood was arrested and booked on August 26, and Tanya Greenwood was taken into custody two days later on August 28.
Tanya Greenwood allegedly told police investigators that she saw Ryan Greenwood shake their daughter at least once and tightly squeeze her leg on another occasion, according to cops.
Tanya Greenwood’s internet search history allegedly shows her looking up information on shaken baby syndrome following their child’s death.
On Monday, the parents were held on $1.5 million bonds each. Both are scheduled to appear in court on October 1.
