WHITEHALL, Ohio — The Whitehall Division of Police is investigating after a 9-month-old girl died on Monday.
When Whitehall police arrived to a home on Beechbank Road, the infant was not breathing and officers began CPR.
“Immediately their first thought was to save the child's life, which they tried,” said Whitehall Police Assistant Chief Dan Kelso.
First responders also found the girl's 23-month-old sister, who was injured. Both girls were taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital and the 9-month-old died from her injuries. Whitehall police are still investigating how she died.
Kelso said both children had bruising and possible bone fractures. Police have charged the mother, Charity Dreyer, with felony child endangerment in the 23-month-old girl's case. According to court documents, Dreyer abused or tortured the child that resulted in serious physical harm.
If the infant's death is classified as a homicide, it would be the first of the year in the city of Whitehall. There were two homicides in the city last year.
“I think it is pretty horrible, pretty horrible,” Kelso said of the baby’s death.
Dreyer is being held on a $50,000 bond. More charges are expected to be filed later.
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