Fatally Poisoning Baby Girl Lands Chesco Dad 17-50 Years Behind Bars

WEST CHESTER, PA — A 45-year-old Downingtown father was sentenced Wednesday to 17 to 50 years in state prison for fatally poisoning his 10-month-old daughter in April 2017.

Investigators said Jamal Bailey gave his daughter Seroquel, an antipsychotic drug, in her formula to put her to sleep.

Bailey pleaded guilty before Judge David Bortner to third-degree murder, aggravated assault and endangering a child.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said that no child deserves the suffering this innocent and defenseless baby endured.

“The defendant’s actions were inexcusable, unthinkable, and unforgivable,” Ryan said. “Now Jamal Bailey is paying the price with this hefty sentence. Thank you to our law enforcement and prosecutor for their persistence in seeking justice for this child.”

• Police were called to the defendant’s home on Lancaster Ave. on April 26, 2017, for the report of an unresponsive child.
• Paramedics pronounced the child dead when they arrived.
• The infant died as a result of Quetiapine intoxication over a lengthy period of time, according to the coroner’s office.
• Investigators found prescription bottles of Seroquel in the defendant’s house and learned the defendant had been adding it to his daughter’s bottles to make her sleep.
• The defendant told police that after he nearly killed her on one occasion, he decided to splash water on the baby’s face to revive her instead of contacting anyone for help.
• Bailey then continued to use Seroquel in her bottle.