Pennsylvania man accused of murdering newborn daughter and going back to sleep

A Pennsylvania father upset about having to care for his wailing newborn is accused of killing her following a night of allegedly doing drugs, authorities said.

On March 19, the baby’s parents, Lamont Bacchus, 31, and Amanda Green, 29, were staying at the Barrett Township home of their friend, 29-year-old Tony Kristiansen.

According to the Pocono Record, Kristiansen told police the parents had used heroin and methamphetamine and Bacchus was “high,” slurring and looked like a "whack job" when he fell asleep with the baby girl, Ryann, on the couch. 

Aroound 2 a.m., Kirstiansen claimed, the baby began crying and he told Bacchus to feed her. He did and the friend went back to sleep but Ryann kept crying. 

The next afternoon, Kristiansen found the baby on the couch cold and not moving, according to the Pocono Record.

“Initially, Bacchus claimed that he had left the apartment to buy heroin several hours before the child was discovered dead and that the child was fine when he left the apartment,” the Monroe County District Attorney said. “Kristiansen, who found the child deceased, and Green related that they delayed calling 911 in order to remove drugs from the apartment before the police arrived.” 

An autopsy showed the baby had a gaping skull fracture and numerous brain and scalp hemorrhages. She died from brain injury as a result of homicide, Monroe County Coroner Thomas Yanac determined.

“When confronted with this information, Bacchus changed his story, claiming that he had tripped while carrying the child and accidentally dropped her,” the D.A. said. “Eventually, Bacchus admitted that he had struck the baby’s head against the table out of frustration from her crying and him being the only one caring for the child during that time.”

Bacchus said that “he knew the child was dead immediately after he struck her head on the table,” the D.A. noted. “After killing the child, Bacchus placed her back onto the couch and went back to sleep.”

“If I wasn't getting high, I wouldn't have made that mistake,” Bacchus allegedly said in an interview with the Pocono Mountain Regional Police, the Pocono Record reported.

Bacchus faces charges of criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of a child, assault, and drug charges. Green faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child, and delivery of drugs. The third defendant, Kristiansen, is now facing drug delivery and felony endangering charges.