Abused Hampton infant dies in hospital

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - A 6-month-old child who police say is the victim of abuse, has passed away, according to police.

Sgt. Jason Price with the Hampton Police Division told WAVY.com the infant passed away at 12:15 p.m. Saturday. He has been identified as Brayden Joseph Whalen.

"When you think about a 6-month-old, it's helpless, it's defenseless, it can't dial 911, it can't reach out and ask somebody for assistance," Price said.

Police arrested 21-year-old Daniel Lunsford and 20-year-old Brittany Whalen in connection to the Dec. 29 incident. Medical attention for the child was not sought until Jan 1, according to police.

Officers originally charged the pair with child abuse and failure to secure medical attention. Monday, Lunsford was also charged with one count of homicide in connection to Brayden's death.

Court documents obtained by WAVY.com state Lunsford struck Brayden twice that day, "on the left side of the face two times causing severe bruising and lacerations to the head, cheek, lips and ears. The blows also caused several internal injuries."

Lunsford told Whalen, a certified EMT and Brayden's mother, the injuries were caused by "a cat landing on the child and the child falling into a wall."

"We are still interviewing witnesses and we're still attempting to re-interview the suspects. At this time, it's been an ongoing, and still is, an ongoing investigation," Price said.

Price said the two were placed on suicide watch at Hampton Roads Regional Jail Monday.