Remember me
A man in Maine has been arrested and charged with murder after his beautiful 12-week-old baby girl was found unresponsive and 'blue' before dying in hospital.
Shawn Samuels, 24, was arraigned at the Penobscot County Judicial Center in Bangor after his daughter, Lyla Samuels, was rushed to hospital and died.
Penobscot Regional Communication Center received a call at around 11.40am on Friday on reports of an unresponsive three-month-old.
Responders administered CPR to Lyla, who began breathing again, and she was taken to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center.
A family member told the Boston Globe that this incident was the first time that Samuels was left alone with his daughter.
Lyla passed away on Sunday in hospital from 'multiple injuries' and her death was ruled as a homicide, according to a state police press release.
The cause of death is tentative pending final testing.
Her mother, Leah Collins, told the Bangor Daily News that Lyla was a 'gift from God, returned to Heaven much too soon.'
Lyla's mother, Leah Collins, said that Lyla was a 'gift from God, returned to Heaven much too soon'
Shawn Samuels, 24, was arrested on Friday and virtually arraigned at the Penobscot County Judicial Center following the death of his daughter, Lyla
Collins said that she would be missed by all who have loved her deeply in the short time they knew her, the outlet reported.
'Her smiles, grunts, giggles, and coos brought joy to all who knew her. She is missed beyond what words could ever express, but will forever stay in our hearts as the precious, perfect baby girl that she is,' she said.
People walking by the adorable baby girl would 'admire her beauty and remark on her sweetness,' according to Collins.
'She knew how to pull on her mom‘s heartstrings to make sure nearly every nap was tucked in warm and close to her chest.'
Family member Elizabeth Collins wrote on Facebook: 'The sweetest, smiliest, most beauuuutiful little light. She’s already so missed. We remember her and all the love, joy and giggles she brought to us. Rest in peace, pretty girl. Auntie loves you to the moon.'
'Lyla, we miss and love you so much. You will always be remembered as Leah’s perfect little nugget,' another relative, Nick Collins, wrote.
A GoFundMe for Lyla's family has raised over $10,500 as of Sunday afternoon.
'Our hearts break alongside baby Lyla’s Mom Leah, and the Collins family who are currently walking through a tremendously dark and difficult time,' the fundraiser said.
Samuels was originally charged with domestic violence on Friday, but his charges were changed to murder after the Medical Examiner's report
Lyla Samuels, a beautiful 12-week-old baby girl, was rushed to hospital where she died on Sunday from 'multiple injuries'
'They are filled with unimaginable grief and sorrow at the sudden and tragic loss of beautiful baby Lyla, their 12-week-old daughter and granddaughter.'
A family friend Jeremy Boutot wrote: 'We humbly ask that you join us in honoring baby Lyla and the Collins family. Leah, Karen and Stan, along with the rest of the family – We love you.'
Samuels was originally charged with domestic violence on Friday, but his charges were changed to murder after the Medical Examiner's report, authorities told the Globe.
Samuels entered a not guilty plea and is being held on bail for $250,000.