TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains information about stillbirth and infant loss, which may be triggering to some.
A 4-month-old baby died in Nebraska following an apparent shaking — and her parents, Ryan Greenwood, 36, and Tanya Greenwood, 28, have been charged after the father claimed he had been “playing rough” with the infant. On August 14, 2025, police responded to a call in Lincoln, Nebraska, about 5:30 a.m. after Ryan Greenwood called 911 to report that his baby girl was dead, KOLN reported.
He allegedly told officers that he had been “playing rough” with their daughter the day before and she started crying uncontrollably. The father alleged that he gave the infant a bottle and put her to bed that night, but Tanya Greenwood noticed the baby didn’t wake up at her usual time. After finding the baby girl unresponsive and cold, Ryan Greenwood said he tried doing CPR before calling his mother and 911.
Tanya Greenwood’s recounting of what happened, however, was different, People reported. She told officers that she went to the grocery store on August 13 and returned to her daughter crying “the worst cry I had ever heard.” The mother also alleged that she wanted to get medical care for her daughter, but that her husband said no.
Later, investigators learned that Tanya Greenwood previously saw her husband shake the baby when he was frustrated. She had also allegedly searched online about shaken baby syndrome after their daughter’s death, in addition to previously asking Ryan Greenwood via text about injuries she had noticed on their daughter.
An autopsy revealed that the baby girl died from a traumatic brain injury consistent with having been shaken, People reported. Additionally, a child abuse specialist concluded that her injuries were nonaccidental and that immediate medical care could have improved her chance of surviving.
Both Ryan and Tanya Greenwood were arrested and charged with child abuse resulting in death, according to the Lincoln Police Department, per KOLN. They were being held in Lancaster County Jail with bonds set at 10% of $1.5 million and the conditions not to contact each other or any minors. Their next court date is October 1.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child) or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
