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Teen Father Charged with Murder in Death of His 8-month old Daughter

July 17, 2008

FLINT, Michigan –  Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton has charged a teen father with murder in the shaking death of his 8-month old daughter.

In a case that Prosecutor Leyton said is “an unspeakable tragedy,” Paul Durand Powell II, 16, of Flint, has been charged as an adult with 3 felony counts including Open and Felony Murder and 1^st degree child abuse.  The murder charges are mandatory life offenses while the 1^st degree child abuse count is a 15-year felony. 

Prosecutor Leyton said that investigative reports show that City of Flint police officers and an ambulance were dispatched at around 1:30pm on July 15, 2008 to 157 E. Holbrook Avenue in response to a baby not breathing.  Upon arrival, police and EMT personnel found an infant who was turning blue and CPR was immediately started.  The infant was taken to Hurley Hospital where emergency room personnel were able to revive the infant's breathing and pulse. 

The defendant father was originally charged with Assault with Intent to Murder but that charge was amended to the two counts of murder and first degree child abuse after the 8-month-old girl died this morning at Hurley Hospital from injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.  The baby had severe head and abdominal injuries, including bleeding of the brain and broken ribs.

“The charges in this unspeakable tragedy reflect the serious nature of the offense,” said Prosecutor Leyton.  “I want to make it very clear that there is no excuse for what happened here and my office will be resolute in seeking justice for the baby girl.”

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