5-Month-Old Baby Is Dead After Dad Allegedly Fell Asleep on the Infant While He Was Drunk

TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains information about stillbirth and infant loss, which may be triggering to some.

A California man is facing child abuse charges after the death of his infant child. The details available are still limited, but police claim the father was intoxicated. In his state of intoxication, he reportedly fell asleep on top of the baby, killing the child. Currently, an exact cause of death for the baby has yet to be determined.

Police have not said if there was another adult present. However, they did allege that his drunken actions led to the child’s death. The father was arrested and jailed immediately, and is being held on a bond while they continue their investigation.

More from CafeMom: Couple Charged With ‘Horrific Crimes’ Against Baby Police Found Nearly Dead in a Motel Room

On Sunday, January 19, 2025, Paradise Police Officers, Cal Fire, and Butte EMS Personnel, responded to the report of a 5-month-old child who wasn’t breathing, the Paradise Police Department said in a statement shared on Facebook.

Police began performing lifesaving measures on the infant. When Cal Fire and Butte EMS arrived, they took over. Sadly, their efforts did not save the life of the child, who died at the scene.

During their investigation, police detectives determined the child’s father, 25-year-old Daniel Eastman, had been drinking. They say that in his intoxicated state, the father fell asleep on the baby. No additional details have been given about how this may have happened. An autopsy will be performed to determine the child’s exact cause of death.

More from CafeMom: 4-Year-Old Twins Die After Falling Asleep in Toy Chest & Suffocating While Parents Slept

Police stated that Eastman was arrested at the scene and booked into the Butte County Jail. He is facing charges of child abuse resulting in great bodily injury or death and manslaughter. His bail was set to $80,000.

According to the Paradise Police Department’s statement, the Department of Justice was brought in to “assist by processing the scene and collecting evidence.” The investigation is ongoing. As a result, details are minimal and still forthcoming about how this horrific accident could have occurred. No timeline has been given for whether or not the father will be seen in court.