For one mother in Maine, her transition to parenthood was supposed to be a shared journey, but an afternoon turned her world into a waking nightmare. After leaving her “precious, perfect” infant daughter, Lyla Samuels, alone with her father for the first time, she returned to a scene of unimaginable devastation.
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It was the morning of Jan. 16 when the Orrington Fire and Rescue, the Brewer Fire Department and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive 12-week-old, according to the Maine State Police. First responders performed CPR on baby Lyla, who was reportedly “turning blue” when they arrived at the home, and she began to breathe again.
She was transported to a hospital in Bangor— about 75 miles north of capital Augusta— and the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding her injuries: four broken ribs, retinal hemorrhages and brain swelling, The Boston Globe reported.
Days later Lyla died and her death was ruled a homicide after one of the people meant to protect her was charged for her murder.
Lyla’s father, 24-year-old Shawn S. Samuels, was arrested on charges of domestic violence elevated aggravated assault and two counts of violation of bail on Jan. 17. But after his infant’s autopsy, he was hit with a murder charge. According to a relative, Lyla died during her first time alone with her dad, per Boston Globe.
Collins remembered her daughter as “a gift from God, returned to heaven much too soon” in a tearful interview with Bangor Daily News. Despite being born prematurely, Collins said her babygirl “amazed even her pediatrician with her strength and attentiveness.” She added how Lyla will be “missed beyond what words could ever express,” especially her “smiles, grunts, giggles, and coos” that “brought joy to all who knew her.”
Lyla’s family also paid tributes to her on Facebook, writing, “The sweetest, smiliest, most beauuuutiful little light. She’s already so missed. We remember her and all the love, joy and giggles she brought to us. Rest in peace, pretty girl. Auntie loves you to the moon.”
A GoFundMe was created to “help the Collins family take the necessary time off work, cover funeral expenses, and address other unforeseen expenses during this time of grieving.”
Samuels pleaded not guilty and is being held on $250,000 bail, The Independent reported. His next court date is set for Feb. 13.
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