Tragic Infant Death Leads to Murder Charge Against Maine Father
A 24-year-old father from Maine has been charged with murder following the tragic death of his 12-week-old daughter during what was supposed to be their first solo playdate together. The devastating incident has left a family shattered and a community in mourning as authorities continue their investigation into this heartbreaking case.
Emergency Response to Distressing 911 Call
The family's nightmare began to unfold when emergency services received a frantic 911 call shortly before midday on Friday, January 16. According to official statements from Maine State Police, the dispatcher alerted first responders that an infant was "turning blue" and required immediate medical assistance. Additional information provided during the emergency call revealed that this marked the first time the father had been alone with his baby daughter.
Multiple emergency units including members of the Orrington Fire and Rescue, the Brewer Fire Department, and the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office rushed to the residence on Harvest Drive in Orrington. Upon arrival at the home, emergency personnel performed CPR on the infant, identified as Lyla Samuels, successfully restoring her breathing before she was urgently transported to a nearby hospital in Bangor for further treatment.
Investigation and Arrest Following Hospital Death
Due to the severity of the infant's injuries, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-North was called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The baby's father, Shawn S. Samuels, aged 24, was arrested the following day and initially charged with Domestic Violence Elevated Aggravated Assault (Class A) along with two counts of Violation of Bail (Class E).
Tragically, baby Lyla succumbed to her injuries in hospital on Sunday, January 18, just two days after the initial emergency. The state medical examiner subsequently determined her death to be a homicide, although the precise cause of death remains under active investigation by authorities. Following the autopsy results, detectives formally arrested Samuels for murder at the Penobscot County Jail, where he remains in custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
Legal Proceedings and Family's Heartbreaking Loss
Shawn S. Samuels was arraigned via video at the Penobscot County Judicial Centre in Bangor last Wednesday, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the murder charge. The court ordered him held on $250,000 bail as the legal process continues, with his next court appearance scheduled for February 13.
Meanwhile, baby Lyla's mother, Leah Collins, has spoken publicly about her devastating loss, describing her daughter as "a gift from God, returned to Heaven much too soon." Collins revealed that although Lyla had been born prematurely, she had shown remarkable strength and development that "amazed even her pediatrician with her strength and attentiveness."
The grieving mother shared poignant memories of her daughter, noting how Lyla "knew how to pull on her mom's heartstrings to make sure nearly every nap was tucked in warm and close to her chest." She added that her baby's "smiles, grunts, giggles, and coos brought joy to all who knew her" and that Lyla would be "missed beyond what words could ever express, but will forever stay in our hearts as the precious, perfect baby girl that she is."
Community Support and Ongoing Investigation
In response to this tragedy, a GoFundMe page was established to support Lyla's family during this profoundly difficult time. By Monday morning, the fundraising effort had already exceeded its initial $10,000 target, raising more than $11,000 from compassionate community members and well-wishers. The campaign description, created by supporters identified as the "Jenkins Family," expressed that "our hearts break alongside baby Lyla's Mom Leah, and the Collins family who are currently walking through a tremendously dark and difficult time."
Maine State Police have emphasized that this appears to be an isolated incident with no ongoing public safety concerns for the wider community. However, the investigation continues as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances that led to this infant's tragic death during what should have been a routine father-daughter outing.
