Pennsylvania woman arrested after 3-year-old dies with 4 baby wipes down his throat
06/02/2022 11:36 am PDT
EVERETT, Pa. (TCD) -- A 31-year-old woman was arrested in connection to the choking death of a 3-year-old boy.
According to a report from the Pennsylvania State Police, on May 28 at approximately 9:16 p.m., authorities responded to the 100 block of East First Street and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Bedford "for a child who was transported to the UPMC Bedford that was choking on baby wipes." A day later, on May 29, the 3-year-old reportedly succumbed to his injuries at UPMC Children’s Hospital.
An autopsy report revealed the victim suffered extensive bruising, and his cause of death was ruled a homicide due to manual strangulation and asphyxiation, police say.
According to a complaint affidavit obtained by the Tribune-Democrat, Chelsea Cooley told troopers she tucked the child into bed at around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28. He allegedly would not eat lunch or dinner during the day, and Cooley said she discovered the boy unresponsive at approximately 8:30 p.m. with apparent baby wipes caught in his throat.
EMS personnel reportedly had to remove four baby wipes from the victim’s throat before he was transported to the hospital. The affidavit obtained by the Tribune-Democrat alleges the wipes were so far down the child’s throat that he could not have possibly shoved them down there himself.
The affidavit says marks were located on the boy’s upper chest and neck that appeared to have been caused by an adult hand.
According to police, on May 31, Cooley was charged with criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of children, aggravated assault, aggravated assault of a victim less than 6 years old, strangulation, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person. She was booked into the Bedford County Correctional Facility without bond.
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