VA - Raven Sebolka, 10 days; dad says cat caused fatal injuries; Richmond; 30 July 2021

[imstilla.grandma]

According to multiple reports, officers with the Richmond Police Department were called to a local hospital at approximately 8:30 p.m. on July 30, after medical personnel reported that a young child had been brought in with suspicious injuries consistent with abuse. The baby, Raven Michelle Sebolka, was admitted with “unknown injuries” which investigators said they determined “occurred while in her home” located in the 200 block of North 4th Street.

A report from local CBS-affiliate WTVR-TV said that when the baby’s father—23-year-old Matthew Sebolka—told detectives that his daughter was sitting in her car seat when he briefly left to use the bathroom. He then allegedly claimed that after returning from the bathroom, he saw the family’s cat on the baby’s neck.

Sebolka allegedly said that he then called the baby’s mother, Elizabeth Tyler Sebolka, who arrived soon after and took their daughter to the VCU Medical Center because she had a rash and her eyes were puffy. Elizabeth reportedly traveled to the medical center via the public bus.

However, sources told WTVR that medical personnel at VCU said the newborn had suffered a fractured skull, bruising on the left side of her head, and exhibited possible signs of suffocation.

The infant died of her injuries on Aug. 10. The Henrico County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and determined the cause of death to be a homicide.
Virginia Couple Charged with Abusing 10-Day-Old Daughter Whose Fatal Injuries the Husband Blamed on the Family Cat: Cops

 

[scapa]

According to multiple reports, officers with the Richmond Police Department were called to a local hospital at approximately 8:30 p.m. on July 30, after medical personnel reported that a young child had been brought in with suspicious injuries consistent with abuse. The baby, Raven Michelle Sebolka, was admitted with “unknown injuries” which investigators said they determined “occurred while in her home” located in the 200 block of North 4th Street.

A report from local CBS-affiliate WTVR-TV said that when the baby’s father—23-year-old Matthew Sebolka—told detectives that his daughter was sitting in her car seat when he briefly left to use the bathroom. He then allegedly claimed that after returning from the bathroom, he saw the family’s cat on the baby’s neck.

Sebolka allegedly said that he then called the baby’s mother, Elizabeth Tyler Sebolka, who arrived soon after and took their daughter to the VCU Medical Center because she had a rash and her eyes were puffy. Elizabeth reportedly traveled to the medical center via the public bus.

However, sources told WTVR that medical personnel at VCU said the newborn had suffered a fractured skull, bruising on the left side of her head, and exhibited possible signs of suffocation.

The infant died of her injuries on Aug. 10. The Henrico County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and determined the cause of death to be a homicide.
Virginia Couple Charged with Abusing 10-Day-Old Daughter Whose Fatal Injuries the Husband Blamed on the Family Cat: Cops

Ugh. Because family moggies are well-known as homicidal maniacs who will viciously beat (with their paws, presumably) and then suffocate a days-old infant. I guess it's a step above the villainous passing bandit -- but barely a step.

This poor wee bairn. Such cruelty.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Ten-day-old Raven Sebolka died from head injuries

Each parent is charged with child abuse and neglect, but police have already said additional charges are pending.

In an online obituary for Raven, her grandparents said, “The family ask that in lieu of flowers or donations you hold your children a little longer, rock them a little more, read them another story and rejoice in each happy smile.”
Virginia parents charged after blaming baby's death on cat

 

[imstilla.grandma]

In view of the applicable law in the commonwealth, W. Edward Riley, a criminal defense attorney in Virginia who is not engaged in the case, told WTVR-TV that it will be a difficult court struggle for the couple.

Riley told the source that “the law in Virginia is fairly broad on permitting the Commonwealth to demonstrate cause of death connected to the original act of trauma, which is normally shot, stabbed, or, as in this case, what looks to be trauma to the head.” “It will be very tough to defend if your customer is the one who did that. Then there’s the question of whether it’s second-degree murder or manslaughter in terms of intent. If there is fury or terror, the murder is ruled out and the case becomes a manslaughter case.”
A Virginia couple was arrested for the murder of their newborn daughter, claiming that their pet cat killed her. | The Washington Newsday


Matthew Sebolka, 23, of Richmond, VA. was arrested in Henrico by
@RichmondPolice
and the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was charged with abuse and neglect of a child.
https://twitter.com/USMarshalsHQ/status/1430183264875159555

https://twitter.com/USMarshalsHQ/status/1430183264875159555/photo/1

 

[borndem]

Ten-day-old Raven Sebolka died from head injuries

Each parent is charged with child abuse and neglect, but police have already said additional charges are pending.

In an online obituary for Raven, her grandparents said, “The family ask that in lieu of flowers or donations you hold your children a little longer, rock them a little more, read them another story and rejoice in each happy smile.”
Virginia parents charged after blaming baby's death on cat

The poor little girl doesn't look well-cared-for even in the pic above. She never had a chance, did she?
Lock'em up for life, dammit.
That's about all I can say here...

Thanks for the thread, @imstilla.grandma. Following.