New Jersey

New Jersey Stepdad Faces Murder Charge in 9-Week-Old Baby's Death

A South Jersey man has been indicted on murder charges in the death of his 9-week-old stepdaughter, who died while her mother was in the hospital.

Cumberland County prosecutors say Manuel Mikes also faces a child endangerment count in the indictment that was recently handed up by a county grand jury. The 33-year-old Millville man remains jailed on $1 million bail.

The baby was pronounced dead at Mikes' home on March 27.Authorities have said the child was found lying on an air mattress she shared with him.

Prosecutors have said the death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy determined the girl died from blunt trauma to the back of her head. Mikes had been caring for the girl while her mother was in the hospital.

Copyright The Associated Press
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