ST. ALBANS, W.Va. — A Kanawha County man remained in jail Friday after being charged in the death of his girlfriend’s 8-month-old baby girl.
William Bowen, 33, and Chellbie Hudson, 25, allegedly caused injury to the child before its death.
On Thursday, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department detectives arrested Bowen and charged him with Death of a child by Parent, Guardian or custodian or other person by child abuse. Hudson was also arrested and charged with Child neglect creating risk of injury.
The baby was Hudson’s daughter, Lilly, and Bowen was Hudson’s live-in boyfriend.
The event allegedly happened on June 23 when authorities responded to a call on Buckeye Lane. The baby was barely breathing when authorities arrived.
According to investigators, the baby had bruising to her head and abdomen. The West Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and found that the child had massive internal bleeding in her brain resulting from blunt force trauma to the head.
The Sheriff’s Department said that the baby probably sustained the injuries 12-24 hours before being taken to the hospital on June 23.
The cause of death was listed a “homicide.”
Hudson and Bowen told authorities they had a heated argument before the baby was injured, adding they fight frequently and often throw things at each other.
Hudson allegedly left the baby in the care of Bowen. When she returned to the home, the baby was unresponsive.
Other people were at the residence and became aware of the baby’s condition and attempted to call 911, according to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. However, Hudson attempted to stop those calls and then tried to leave the residence.
Both Bowen and Hudson are being held at the South Central Regional Jail. Bowen is held on no bond, and Hudson is on a $50,000 cash bond.
Story by Jordyn Johnson