Nathan Alan Bailey
Leonardtown, MD – A St. Mary’s County grand jury has handed down an eight-count indictment against a man charged battering a baby in January. The infant died a few days after being hospitalized with critical injuries. The accused, identified as Nathan Alan Bailey, 30 of Mechanicsville, was indicted Monday, March 7 for first-and second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death, and first-and second-degree assault.
The victim was a 7-month-old child. The alleged incident occurred Jan. 5 at a home occupied at the time by the victim and the accused.
“The defendant stated he had very little sleep the night before,” police stated in court documents. “He stated the baby fell, the baby looked as though he would cry so he [Bailey] shook the baby for several minutes and demonstrated severe shaking.”
Detectives stated that Bailey ignored signs the baby was in distress and later that morning dropped the child off at daycare. Police stated daycare personnel observed the baby displaying signs of injury and medical assistance was sought.
The child was transported to Children’s National Medical Center and died there Jan. 8. Doctor’s determined the injuries to the baby were the result of a battering.
“The defendant admitted he knew he should have called for medical assistance but did not,” investigators stated in court documents. Doctors told police that if medical intervention had been done sooner, the child’s injuries may not have been so severe.
Investigation of the incident was led by Detective Robert C. Merritt of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.
Since his arrest, Bailey has been incarcerated at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center in lieu of $1 million.
According to a docket summary, Bailey has a pre-trial conference tentatively scheduled for April 25. A trial in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court is tentatively scheduled to begin June 29.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
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