A Lancaster County man faces murder charges after allegedly shaking his three-month-old daughter to death in a case that has shocked the New Holland community.
David Lee Souden, 47, has been charged with third-degree murder, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of children following the death of his infant daughter on Thursday (February 5), according to West Earl Township Police.
Police say the incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on February 1 at Souden's New Holland home. According to charging documents, Souden admitted to "violently" shaking his daughter multiple times because she was crying, causing her to stop breathing. Instead of calling for help, he allegedly placed the unresponsive infant back in her bassinet and left the home without seeking medical attention.
"Souden told police he needed to report killing his daughter," according to ABC27 News. He reportedly believed he had killed the child when he left the residence.
First responders eventually arrived at the home and found the unresponsive infant. She was initially taken to a hospital in Lancaster before being flown to Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in critical condition. Despite medical intervention, the baby was pronounced dead four days later on February 5.
Souden has been denied bail and is currently being held at Lancaster County Prison. Local news outlet WHP reports that his preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 20.
The case has drawn attention to the dangers of shaken baby syndrome, a form of abusive head trauma that can cause severe brain damage or death in infants.