The 22-year-old father was arrested and taken into custody on Tuesday. He is now charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the death of his 2-month-old son. An autopsy revealed that the infant’s death was a homicide resulting from a skull fracture and lacerated liver sustained during a violent assault, according to reports. Investigators obtained security tape footage from Saturday morning and on the tape, investigators could hear the child crying at several points which were followed by loud thuds. The father was the only person in the apartment with the child. He and the child’s mother, whose name has not been reported, share legal custody of the infant.
The 22-year-old dad from South Dakota, Dylan Castimore, is accused of brutally killing his newborn baby, Daxton Castimore. Prosecutors said the child sustained very extensive injuries, according to reports.
Police said the father called 911 right before noon on Saturday. He told authorities that his infant son was unconscious and not breathing. EMS personnel and officers responded to his residence located in the 3400 block of North 4th Avenue. The responding officers found the child unresponsive and rushed him to a nearby hospital. Unfortunately, the child was pronounced dead shortly after.
An autopsy revealed that the infant’s death was a homicide resulting from a skull fracture and lacerated liver sustained during a violent assault, according to reports. Authorities said the child suffered other injuries as well: multiple fractured ribs extensive bruising on his head and body and a black eye.
During an interview, the father told police that he was feeding the infant with a bottle when blood came out of a nostril. The child then stopped breathing, he said. Investigators obtained security tape footage from Saturday morning and on the tape, yo could hear the child crying at several points which were followed by loud thuds.
Investigators searched the father’s apartment and found blood smears in the bathroom, bedroom and on the floor. The 22-year-old father is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. According to reports, Dylan was the only person in the apartment with the child. He and the child’s mother, whose name has not been reported, share legal custody of the infant.
A GoFundMe Page has also been set up for the child’s funeral expenses. This incident remains under investigation. This is a developing story and it will be updated as new information become available.