<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2pyeOK_0n5WaXMD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2pyeOK_0n5WaXMD00" width="640" height="360" >NEW ORLEANS — A New Orleans father who voiced criticism against the Department of Child and Family Services has been accused of killing his infant child.According to court records, Christopher Strickland was arrested Thursday and faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree child cruelty to juveniles in connection with the death of his infant daughter Louisa. Louisa, who was five months old, died March 2 at Children's Hospital, according to the Orleans Parish coroner's report. Court records show that Christopher brought Louisa to Children's Hospital on Feb. 28 by ambulance due to her being unresponsive. Christopher told doctors that he had put her in her room and left for five to ten minutes to make a bottle and check on his dogs. He said when he returned, she was barely breathing. According to the court documents, Christopher admitted to "violently shaking" the child to try to revive her and was told to give her CPR through a 911 call. He claimed to doctors that during the CPR he heard "crunching sounds" and that the baby began aspirating on formula. Louisa was then intubated once she arrived to the hospital. Court records show a PICU social worker contacted police regarding the child's injuries. She reported that the child had rib fractures and a head injury that "likened to a car accident, high altitude fall, head crush injury, or forceful shaking."A forensic medical report of Louisa showed that her rib fractures were anywhere from three to four weeks old, and that her head injuries lead to her death. The coroner officially ruled her death as complications from abusive head trauma caused from shaking in a report that police received on June 16. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.Court records also show that police reviewed the Strickland family's home security footage and determined that he was the soul caretaker of the child on the day of the incident. Christopher and his wife Tess were featured in a WDSU Investigates piece in 2021 where they shared their previous experience with the Department of Children and Family Services and its child abuse registry. Both Christopher and Tess discussed how abuse claims were made against them in a case involving their first-born son Rivers during a pediatric appointment. In that case, a judge found there was not sufficient evidence of child abuse and ordered their son Rivers be returned to them. They were still placed on the child abuse registry. Strickland's bond was set at $150,000 on the second-degree murder charge and $25,000 on the second-degree cruelty to juvenile charge. The Strickland's attorney, Sarah Chervinsky, issued the following statement regarding the accusations: "Any parent who has lost a child knows the depth of grief the Stricklands are suffering. Their pain has been compounded by the wrongful accusation that Chris is responsible for his daughter's death."Chris has not been formally charged with any crime at this point. The District Attorney must begin their process of thoroughly reviewing all the circumstances in this case, and we are confident if they conduct a complete and fair investigation, the evidence will prove that Chris is innocent."WDSU reached out to the Orleans Parish District Attorney's office, who declined to comment while the case is open. WDSU was also told the office is not in receipt of the transcripts from court at this time. Christopher Strickland's next court date is scheduled for June 29. </div></body>

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New Orleans father accused of killing his infant child

NEW ORLEANS — A New Orleans father who voiced criticism against the Department of Child and Family Services has been accused of killing his infant child. According to court records, Christopher Strickland was arrested Thursday and faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree child cruelty to juveniles in connection with the death of his infant daughter Louisa.