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Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009

Centerville father charged in death of infant

WARNER ROBINS — A Centerville man has been charged with felony murder in the shaking death of his 6-week-old daughter, police said.

Andre S. Martin, 29, also was charged with aggravated battery and cruelty to children in the Nov. 16 incident, said Houston County sheriff’s Capt. Jerry Stewart. Martin told authorities he put the infant down on her back in the baby bed of their Scarborough Road home but found the baby on her stomach face down when he came back to check on her, Stewart said.

Martin also told authorities that he thought the infant had suffocated and shook her some in an attempt to revive her, Stewart said.

Martin called 911, Stewart said.

The baby was taken to The Children’s Hospital in Macon, and hospital representatives contacted authorities, Stewart said. An autopsy performed the next day showed that the cause of death was trauma to the brain from the baby having been shaken, Stewart said.

Martin turned himself into authorities Monday, the same day warrants were signed for his arrest in connection to the baby’s death, Stewart said.

Christine Cruse, a Warner Robins attorney representing Martin, declined to comment through her office staff.

Houston County sheriff’s Sgt. Keel Broom is investigating the death, Stewart said.

Martin was being held in the Houston County jail.

To contact writer Becky Purser, call 256-9559.