Man Arrested for Death of Infant Child

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Lynchburg Police Department has arrested a man for the death of his 2-month-old daughter.

 

On January 18, at 5:17 p.m., the Lynchburg Police Department and the Lynchburg Fire Department were called to McCausland Ridge Apartments, 2075 Langhorne Road, in reference to an infant with breathing problems. Emergency personnel attempted life-saving measures on scene before transporting the child to Lynchburg General Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

 

After a thorough investigation, the father of the child, William James Smith, 19, was arrested and charged with first degree murder. He is currently being held at the Lynchburg Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority without bond.

 

The Lynchburg Police Department would like to thank Lynchburg Child Protective Services for assistance throughout this investigation. There were no other children in the home.

 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Stevenson (434) 455-6116 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900. Enter an anonymous tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3 app on a mobile device.

 

This is an ongoing investigation. Any additional information will be released as an update to this news release.