South Dakota dad accused of assaulting and killing 8-week-old son
12/01/2021 11:47 am PST
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (TCD) -- A 22-year-old father is accused of assaulting and killing his 8-week-old son Saturday in an apartment.
According to the Sioux Falls Police Department, officers were dispatched to an apartment on the 3400 block of North 4th Avenue at approximately 11:46 a.m. regarding an unconscious infant. Emergency personnel transported the infant, Daxton Castimore, to the hospital, where he later died.
According to Sioux Falls Police, evidence reportedly showed Daxton was likely assaulted. Daxton’s father, Dylan Castimore, was also the only one in the apartment with the infant before first responders arrived on scene. An autopsy showed Daxton died from skull fractures, broken ribs, and a laceration on his liver, the statement says. His death was ruled a homicide.
According to a criminal complaint shared by KELO-TV, officers "observed red spots and smears on a wall in the bathroom and on the floor." Additionally, there were allegedly “red droplets on the wall and ceiling of the bedroom” and a "footprint in a red smudge on the carpet in the bedroom."
Security and audio footage from the apartment reportedly contains snippets of Daxton crying, and "then a loud thud and more crying." The criminal complaint notes several "thuds" as well as a "slapping/hitting sound."
Castimore was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. He was being held on $1 million cash bond.
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