Warning: incredibly distressing content
A dad sentenced to life in prison after killing his two-day-old baby because she would not stop crying , has been found murdered in his cell early last week.
Liam Deane, 22, was being held at HM Prison Leeds, and another inmate, John Westland, 28, has been charged with the murder.
Liam had been in jail for a month, since pleading guilty to murdering his daughter.
Liam was holding his two-day-old daughter Luna to allow his partner and mother of his baby Karen Bissett, 21, some time to sleep.
But Liam, who lived with Karen at their home in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, lost his temper with the baby when she wouldn’t stop crying.
The dad subjected the poor baby to a horrific attack only days after she was born, admitting to police that he punched baby Luna in the face, squeezed her body and arms and shook her.
Liam at first tried to cover up what he had done, ringing his mum and telling her that the baby was having difficulty breathing and had fallen and hit her head.
He then called an ambulance, and paramedics noticed that the baby’s face was badly swollen and bruised.
HMP Leeds where Liam was being held.
The next morning, Karen was also told that the baby had fallen and hit her head.
Luna was taken to Leeds General Infirmary and spent three days in intensive care before succumbing to her atrocious injuries. She passed away on 14 July, three days after the attack.
A doctor confirmed that Luna had died as a result of suffering head trauma which left her with “catastrophic brain injuries.”
When questioned by police, Mr. Deane could no longer keep up his pretense, and broke down when admitting that he was responsible for attacking Luna.
Michael Smith, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court: “He said he was responsible for all of the injuries that she had suffered and he said that Luna had not settled down and he lost control.”
A victim statement was read out in court on behalf of Karen: “Seeing Luna on life support in the hospital will last with me forever. I can’t describe how that felt. I would not wish it upon my worst enemy.”
He was handed a life sentence with a minmum serve of 10 years in prison.
The Recorder of Leeds, judge Peter Collier, QC, said: “You were caring for your two-day old child. She was crying. You yourself were no doubt stressed and tired but you lost your temper.”
Detective Superintendent Jim Dunkerley, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “This was an extremely tragic case where a newborn baby girl has lost her life before its even had chance to begin.
“Luna suffered an assault at the hands of one of the people who was responsible for her care and wellbeing. Her family has been torn apart by her death.
“Deane will now face life in prison as a result of his abhorrent actions and I hope the family can find some comfort in this verdict.”
Our thoughts are with Luna’s family at this terrible time.
This story was originally posted on Closer.
