Bristol Infant Died From Multiple Blunt Force Injuries: Coroner

BRISTOL, PA —A 4-month-old infant, whose father admitted to authorities he had shaken, died of multiple blunt force injuries, the coroner said Thursday.

Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck said that the investigation into the May 25 death of the 4-month-old infant publicly has been completed. She said the manner of death is a homicide.

The boy's father, Tyler Patrick Sullivan, 30, of Bristol, was charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child in late May.

A medical examination determined that the boy had been a "battered child," according to court records and authorities.

During an interview with Bristol Police, Sullivan admitted to violently shaking the baby on two occasions, once in the morning he described as violently, and once in the evening after giving the baby a bath, according to a court affidavit and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office.

At the time of the incident, a doctor said the injuries were indicative of a battered child.

Sullivan told authorities that he bumped the infant's head on the rocker chair on a prior occasion, bumped his head on the bathing tub, and that he had shaken him at least six additional times over six weeks.

The boy's mother told police that over the past few months, while the boy was in Sullivan's sole custody, she noticed bruising on her son's body that was not consistent with Sullivan's explanations.

Buck said Thursday that the boy's mother had been notified.

“Our office extends its deepest condolences to the infant’s family and friends during this difficult time as they grieve this unimaginable loss,” she said.