CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — A 1-year-old girl has killed after deputies say she was physically abused by her father, leading to her death.
Her father 29-year-old Robert Early McKay III was charged with child abuse related to her injuries Tuesday. The Charles County Sheriff's Office says the child, Divinity Ose McKay, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead on Tuesday.
The Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office will determine further charges. The investigation is ongoing.
On March 30 at 2 a.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of St. Thomas Drive in Waldorf after a man called and reported his 13-month-old daughter was having trouble breathing.
When officers and paramedics arrived, the child was unresponsive. She was transported to the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center for treatment. Detectives responded to the hospital to conduct an investigation.
As detectives began gathering information, McKay assaulted one of the investigators.
He was arrested, charged with assault and taken to the detention center.
The child was subsequently transported to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and admitted in critical condition.
Upon examination and other medical testing, detectives learned the toddler sustained trauma consistent with child abuse. Detectives also charged McKay with attempted murder, child abuse, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault.
In addition, while serving a search warrant at McKay’s home, detectives found a regulated firearm, which he is prohibited from possessing due to a previous felony conviction.
The child’s mother was at work when the 911 call came in. Further, no other children live at the home.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call (301) 609- 6518.
