West Virginia Mother Accused of Murder After 16-Day-Old Daughter Dies with Broken Arm and Ribs

Police in West Virginia have charged a woman with killing her 16-day-old daughter, who was hospitalized but succumbed to her injuries days later.

On June 20, the newborn daughter of Brooke Kessler, 33, was admitted to a Charleston hospital with various injuries that appeared non-accidental, according to the criminal complaint obtained by WCHS.

On June 23, the baby, who doctors said suffered brain injuries, died after being taken off life support, officials said.

Investigators determined the infant had bruising around the throat and the back of the head as well as bruising to the left eye. She also had a broken arm and six broken ribs, authorities said.

When speaking with police, Kessler’s husband allegedly claimed his wife battled postpartum depression, authorities said, and that she allegedly may have squeezed their daughter too hard while burping her.

On June 21, Kessler was charged with child abuse, strangulation, and malicious assault, authorities said.

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Three days later, on June 24, the charges against the mother were upgraded to death of a child by a parent following her daughter’s death.

Kessler was booked into the Western Regional Jail, where she was awaiting arraignment on the new charges.