Aberdeen Baby Dies From Skull Fractures, Brain Bleeds; Mother Charged

ABERDEEN, MD — A 5-month-old baby girl has died and her mother is charged with murder and child abuse in the infant's death.

On Dec. 29, Harford County Sheriff's Office detectives were called to John’s Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for a report of suspected child abuse. They learned the baby had been brought to the hospital by ambulance with multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds, a broken leg and other life-threatening injuries.

During a court-ordered search of the child's home in the 200 block of Mayberry Drive in Aberdeen, witnesses and suspects gave inconsistent versions of how the baby was injured, according to the sheriff's office.

At the time she was severely injured, the baby was in the sole care and custody of her mother, 32-year-old Maya Dennis. The baby died from her injuries Dec. 31.

Dennis was arrested at the hospital and taken to the county detention center.

The sheriff's office said Dennis stated she was responsible for the fatal injuries her baby suffered. Dennis has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse.

Bel Air resident Rob Kunkel told CBS News the baby's death was especially heartbreaking since it happened during the holiday season.

"It's supposed to be about family and joy," Kunkel said. "I can't see where somebody could actually kill their own child."