Two Bath residents have been charged following an investigation into the death of a 12-day-old infant earlier this year.
The Bath Police Department arrested 27-year-old Dakota Abeel and 23-year-old Jessica Abeel following an investigation into the infant’s death on March 18 at a residence on May Street in the Steuben County village.
Police, Bath Ambulance, and Steuben County EMS responded around 8 that morning for a report of an unresponsive infant. Authorities said CPR was administered at the scene before the child was transported to Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital, where the infant was pronounced dead.
Investigators later determined the death resulted from negligence involving unsafe sleep arrangements for the infant.
Dakota and Jessica Abeel were each charged with one count of criminally negligent homicide, a Class E felony.
Both were processed and released and are scheduled to appear in Bath Village Court at a later date.
Bath Police thanked the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, Steuben County 911, the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office, Bath Ambulance, Steuben County Child Protective Services, and Steuben County EMS for their assistance during the investigation.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
