Eastern PA Couple Killed Their Newborn Baby In Maternity Ward: Police

WEST READING, PA — A newborn baby boy was assaulted and killed by his parents in the maternity ward of an eastern Pennsylvania hospital earlier this month, authorities announced Tuesday.

Kevin Canaan, 28, of Reading, and Yeniffer Tavarez-Cepeda, 25, of New York City, have been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.

The incident began on Saturday, May 2 at Tower Health Reading Hospital.

The baby was with his parents in the maternity ward when "multiple traumatic injuries" were inflicted upon him, the Berks County District Attorney's Office said.

The baby was flown to Penn State Hershey Medical Center for advanced neo-natal care, where he died on Sunday, May 3.

Forensic Pathologist Dr. Wayne K. Ross ruled the injuries were consistent with physical abuse, and investigators ruled his death a homicide.

Circumstances immediately leading up to the killing are not known. But based on repeated wellness checks done by medical staff, officials said they were able to narrow down the timeframe to a short window.

Officials added that after the traumatic injuries, Canaan and Tavarez-Cepeda clearly observed the baby "in medical distress," but failed to say anything to medical staff.

Both parents were arrested on Tuesday, May 19 in Reading and arraigned at the Berks County Courthouse. A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.