Hamilton man charged with manslaughter in infant's death

A Hamilton man faces a manslaughter charge in the 2023 death of his girlfriend's baby girl, police say.

The 23-year-old was arrested in Hamilton on May 1, Hamilton Police Service said in a Friday news release. He was scheduled to appear in court Friday.

First responders found the four-month-old unresponsive and took her to hospital on Nov. 5, 2023, following a call to an east-end apartment, police said. She was pronounced dead soon after.

An autopsy found her death may have been suspicious, police said. Recently, police received a full autopsy report, "which provided further details and confirmed [the baby] did not die from natural causes. With this new information, investigators determined criminal charges would be laid."

The baby was being cared for by her mother's boyfriend before she died. At the time, he was released unconditionally after speaking with investigators, police said, adding detectives have conducted "numerous" interviews with family members and done several searches since. 

"Hamilton Police Service continues to extend its deepest condolences to [the baby's] family during this incredibly difficult time," the news release said.