http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2010/07/16/tacoma-father-charged-with-murder-in-toddlers-death/
Andrew Houston III, who turned 25 on Thursday, pleaded not guilty to the charge during his arraignment this afternoon in Pierce County Superior Court.He was ordered held in Pierce County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.
Briyana Houston, 23 months old, was taken off life support Thursday after scans showed she had no brain activity.
Paramedics were called to the Houston's apartment in the 1200 block of North Pearl Street on Wednesday night and found a critically injured Briyana.
Doctors at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital discovered the toddler had retinal hemorrhaging, skull fractures, liver damage and severe brain injuries, court documents state. The doctors informed police investigators the injuries were not accidental and were "consistent with the child having been violently shaken and subjected to blunt force trauma," charging documents state.
Investigators contacted Houston at the hospital. He initially denied harming his daughter.
Houston then told detectives he had picked his daughter up from daycare Tuesday night, court documents state. He generally cares for Briyana and her older sister in the evening while their mother works.
On Tuesday night, Houston prepared dinner but Briyana would not eat. He tried to force her to eat by grabbing her mouth but the girl continued to refuse, court documents state.
Houston told investigators he took his daughter out of her high chair and shook her by the arms.
"Houston indicated that he was frustrated by (Briyana's) lack of cooperation, financial issues and caring for the children by himself," charging documents state. "Houston told detectives that he didn't think he injured the child because she kept moving."
While having her diaper changed, Briyana reportedly fell backward and hit her head on the floor. Houston told investigators he thought that was when she might have injured her head, charging documents state.
Briyana's mother noticed her daughter had vomited overnight but because she didn't have a fever, took her to daycare on Wednesday. The daycare providers told investigators Briyana was lethargic and clingy throughout the day.
Houston picked his daughter up Wednesday evening as normal. He said after he put her to bed, he noticed Briyana face down in vomit and apparently not breathing.
He called Briyana's mother and told her there was some sort of problem and that he'd handle it. He then shook Briyana in an attempt to rouse her and called 911.
