16-Day-Old Baby Dies After Mom Claims She ‘Squeezed Her Too Hard’ While Burping Her

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A West Virginia man claims his wife was suffering from postpartum depression in the weeks leading up to the death of their newborn baby. Brooke Kessler, 33, allegedly said she squeezed her 16-day old-daughter too hard while burping her and ultimately the infant died. However, investigators don't believe the baby died accidentally and launched a thorough investigation.

According to a release from the West Virginia State Police obtained by the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the unnamed newborn was taken to CAMC Women's & Children's Hospital unresponsive.

After examining her body, medical staff reportedly noticed the baby had multiple injuries, and investigators determined the bruising was not an accident. Kessler was arrested and charged in her daughter's death.

The infant allegedly had significant bruising on her head and face.

West Virginia State Police Trooper T.A. Fisher reported to the hospital about 9:40 p.m. on June 20, 2024, after an infant arrived unresponsive with suspicious injuries. According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Gazette-Mail, Fisher noticed "bruising around the throat, bruising on the back of the head, bruising around the left eye, and a swollen right arm that had been broken." The baby also reportedly had six broken ribs.

Fisher interviewed the parents.

Per the criminal complaint, Kessler denied breaking her daughter's arm and stated her husband, who was not named, might have been responsible for the injury. She claimed the broken arm occurred while she was at her mother's home on June 18.

The father told Fisher he believed his wife had been struggling with postpartum depression and admitted she had been aggressive with the baby in the past.

The father reportedly had to help his wife care for their newborn.

The man told police he "had to stop her a few times from shaking the baby and that he would take the baby from her and have her cool off," the Gazette-Mail reported. The father denied breaking his daughter's arm and claimed he would pick the baby up and let her bounce on his chest but assured him he was "never aggressive with her."

The infant's grandmother apparently helped care for the baby as well.

Police reported speaking to Kessler's mother-in-law, who told police her son had contacted her about his wife's behavior and concerns she was suffering from postpartum depression. The grandmother claimed she cared for the baby from June 9 to June 14 to help take some of the load off the new parents.

Kessler was initially charged with child abuse.

@postpartumhelp “But you are NOT defeated ” — @mommysbundle ⚠️If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms (or more) it may be a sign of a mood or anxiety disorder like PPD or PPA and the proper support is out there Signs can begin showing up ANYTIME within the first year of birth…and linger into the NEXT. [SHARE to spread the word!] Most people are familiar with PPD or postpartum depression, but don’t often know all the signs. And even fewer hear about PPA or postpartum anxiety (often because the two are often lumped together and treated similarly.) Symptoms can look different for everyone but may include the following… PPD ✔️Loss of interest in activities you enjoy ✔️Little energy or motivation ✔️Prolonged periods of crying ✔️Withdrawal from friends and family ✔️Change in appetite ✔️Irritability ✔️Mood swings ✔️Anxiety ✔️Guilt ✔️Insomnia ✔️Rage PPA ✔️A constant worrying and/or racing thoughts ✔️Trouble concentrating ✔️Feeling irritable or easily agitated ✔️Disturbances in sleep and appetite ✔️Physical symptoms like dizziness, hot flashes, nausea or gut issues ✔️Feeling in a state of overwhelm often ✔️A hyper-vigilance towards baby’s needs While these are very COMMON symptoms affecting 1 in 5 women (pre-pandemic) they are not a NORMAL parts of motherhood to just suffer through. Help us out there. For immediate support or to find a local support you can visit @postpartumsupportinternational or @thebluedotprj Also, if you’re a struggling mom with a toddler who needs to put a postpartum plan in place as you transition from 1 to 2, click the link in my bio for a NEW resource coming very soon! ❤️ #maternalmentalhealth #ppd#ppda ##postpartum#postpartumjourney #ihealedwithhelp #healingstartswithhelp ♬ Pieces of Memory - Carlos Carty

She was arrested June 21 and charged with child abuse, causing serious bodily injury, strangulation, and malicious assault, the Gazette-Mail reported. Three days later, she was charged with the death of a child by a parent or guardian.

According to online records, Kessler was being housed in Western Regional Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bail. No court date has been scheduled.

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.