Preliminary autopsy results from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office reveal the cause of death for a newborn baby who was killed during birth inside an Abilene home on January 18, 2016.
The documents say the baby sustained, “multiple sharp-force injuries, including a combination incision with a minimum of three stab wounds over the neck and chest.” The trachea, thyroid gland, carotid artery and left jugular vein were cut with a sharp object, and there was an incision on the left lung which was collapsed, according to the reports.
More incisions were present on the ribs, and the back of the baby showed three exit wounds.
The newborn’s mother, Amber Craker, 18, is being held in the Taylor County Jail on bonds totaling $300,000 for the First Degree Murder charge and Tampering with/Fabricating Physical Evidence. She was arrested on Tuesday afternoon as soon as she was released from Hendrick Medical Center.
Her boyfriend, Damian Scott Cate, 22, was arrested on the same charges just hours after the newborn was found deceased. His bond is also set at $300,000.
Abilene Police responded to the 400 block of South 25th Street around 8:30 a.m. after Hendrick Medical Center staff reported doctors examined a woman who had just given birth, but there was no baby with her when she checked into the hospital.
Officers executed a search warrant after learning the remains of the newborn may be located on the property. The initial investigation lead police to believe the remains were located somewhere in the home’s drainage system, so they called plumbers to the scene who snaked the drain and located the sewage pipe.
Detectives were only able to find birth tissue in the pipe. The baby was later located inside. APD says the newborn’s body was hidden and exhibited “visible trauma”.
Several suspects are being questioned in connection to this crime as the Abilene Police Department moves forward with a homicide investigation.
Court documents indicate Craker’s family members may have aided in the birth and/or murder of the newborn.
(Information from BigCountryHomepage.com)
