Victim CB, a 10-month-old girl, was admitted to a hospital because of recurrent life-threatening apnea. CB was born in another State and was sexually assaulted at the age of 3 months by an acquaintance of her father. After the assault, local child protection services closely monitored the family.

At 6 months of age, CB experienced her first apneic episode. Her father shook her vigorously, then administered mouth-to-mouth ventilation. She was subsequently admitted to a local hospital. After examination and treatment, she was discharged with a home monitor. During the next 2 months, CB experienced six apneic events and three hospitalizations. The family then moved to Minnesota.

During her first month in Minnesota, CB experienced four apneic episodes and three more hospitalizations. All required vigorous stimulations to restore spontaneous breathing. Other family members observed the child immediately following the events. However, only CB's father ever witnessed all of the actual events. CB was eventually referred to Children's Hospital.

While in the hospital, CB had no clinical apnea or monitor alarms. And, most of the time, she appeared happy and playful. However, when anyone attempted to touch her face, she became hysterical and combative. Over time, both the medical and nursing staffs began to suspect that CB's parents were responsible for her apnea.

Local police and child protection services were notified, and CB was placed in a room with covert audio-visual surveillance.  On the third day of video monitoring, the video recording clearly showed CB's father producing an apneic event by smothering her. Mr. B was viewed picking up the sleeping child, placing her prone on the bed, and forcing her face into the mattress. CB awoke and struggled to escape, wildly kicking her legs. Mr. B continued until CB's struggling stopped and she appeared limp and unconscious. Then, he repositioned her on the bed and called for help. A nurse entered the room, stimulated her, and administered supplemental oxygen.

CB's parents were confronted by a physician, nurse, and police officer. Mr. B adamantly denied smothering CB. He was subsequently arrested and removed from the hospital.

Family History

Mr. B. was a 27-year-old, unemployed, semi-literate laborer in good health. He was actively involved in CB's day-to-day medical care and was clearly the dominant parent. He also became very knowledgeable of the mechanics of the various county and hospital welfare systems. Officials described him as "demanding and manipulative." During CB's hospitalizations, the family lived in a hotel adjacent to the hospital with room, board, and radio pagers provided by the hospital. Throughout CB's hospitalization, Mrs. B was passive and deferred all medical decisions to her husband.

When they first arrived in Minnesota, the family received emergency financial assistance and was closely monitored by local social service agencies. Four years earlier, Mrs. B was allegedly assaulted and raped. Two months prior to CB's monitored episode, Mrs. B was evaluated at a local emergency room for a "hysterical conversion reaction."

Followup

Following the incident at Children's Hospital, Mr. B was taken to the county jail, and upon viewing the video, he admitted to smothering CB. He also was charged with felonious, third-degree assault. The judge ordered a psychiatric examination. Mr. B also received a 10-month sentence in a local workhouse and 5 years' probation. Also, he is to have no contact with his daughter or unsupervised contact with any child in the future.

This article is reprinted from the June, 1992 issue of the FBI's Law Enforcement Bulletin