PROVO, Utah – Provo Police have arrested a Utah man after a 4-month-old girl died in Provo.
Officers said 23-year-old Cameron Willingham is in the Utah County Jail on suspicion of child abuse homicide.
Willingham is the boyfriend of the baby’s mother, not the child’s father.
A search of court records found Willingham was charged with domestic violence against a pregnant woman in 2016.
Authorities responded to a call about a baby not breathing March 19.
Police found the baby, Nevaeh King, unresponsive and with serious injuries.
She was flown to the hospital and died days later on March 21.
“Through the autopsy, it was found that she had serious head and neck injuries as well as abdominal hemorrhaging,” said Sgt. Nisha King with Provo Police.
Shea Dunn, Nevaeh’s biological father, is heartbroken.
“The only thing I know is she was crying out in pain and I could feel it as a father,” Dunn said.
He tells FOX 13 that both he and the infant’s mother shared custody. Monday, he received a call no parent wants to hear.
“I was called by the mother, telling me that our daughter stopped breathing and she was being Life Flighted,” Dunn said.
He has a difficult time comprehending how such a heinous crime could happen to an innocent child.
“She was only 4 months,” Dunn said. “Its beyond terrible. I have no words.”
While nothing can bring back his daughter, he is hoping the person responsible is brought to justice.
“It’s about the only thing keeping me going right now,” Dunn said.
This is an active investigation. Police urge anyone who needs help, especially young parents, to seek assistance to prevent this type of tragedy.
“With being a new mother or a new parent, there are resources available within the community,” Sgt. King said.