16-day-old baby dead, mother charged with child abuse

PUTNAM COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A 16-day-old baby is dead due to multiple severe lacerations; mother charged with child abuse.

Trooper T.A. Fisher of West Virginia State Police Troop 4 Communications was dispatched to C.A.M.C. Women’s & Children’s Hospital on Thursday, June 20, 2024, around 9:40 pm. The reason for the dispatch was an unresponsive 16-day-old baby who had been transported from Charles Court in Hurricane/Putnam County, West Virginia.

Initial information gathered by Trooper T.A. Fisher indicated that the infant had suffered multiple severe injuries. Medical staff at C.A.M.C. informed Trooper T.A. Fisher that the injuries seemed suspicious and non-accidental in nature.

Following this, Trooper T.A. Fisher conducted a thorough investigation and interviewed Brooke Kessler, a 33-year-old resident of Hurricane, WV and the mother of the infant. Based on the investigation, Trooper T.A. Fisher concluded that the mother, Brooke Kessler, was responsible for the injuries sustained by the infant while under her care.

On Friday, June 21, 2024, at approximately 3:50 am, Trooper T.A. Fisher arrested Brooke Kessler on charges of Child Abuse Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Strangulation, and Malicious Assault.

Sadly, on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at around 3:41 pm, the infant was taken off life support at C.A.M.C Women’s and Children’s Hospital and was pronounced deceased by medical staff.

On June 24, 2024, Trooper T.A. Fisher filed criminal charges with the Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney. Brooke Kessler was charged with the Death of a Child by Parent or Guardian.

It is important to note that this investigation is still active and ongoing.

The initial charges were filed before the baby died and she was giving 50,000 dollar bond. Once the baby died, those charges were dropped and then she was charged with child abuse resulting in death and giving no bond.

Earlier this year, a 3-month-old baby out of Jackson County died from child abuse.