Monday, August 6, 2012

Nashville, TN: Metro Police arrested a man Thursday they say killed his girlfriend's 17 month old daughter

Metro Police arrested a man Thursday they say killed his girlfriend's 17 month old daughter Eloise Costanza.

Jacob Scott Hughes, 22, faces criminal homicide and aggravated child abuse charges.

Those counts relate to an incident July 8th at the Bellevue apartment Hughes shares with the child's mother Neena Costanza.

Police say Hughes was watching the girl while her mother was working.

The trouble began when investigators say Hughes sent Costanza a Facebook message that her daughter was having trouble breathing.

She immediately called 9-1-1 for help.

"Hughes told the police department that the injury from the Sunday was due to a fall. As we investigated further we did not believe an accident could've caused those extensive injuries to the child," said Police Spokesperson Don Aaron.

Police say Eloise Costanza suffered from severe brain injury, a skull fracture and other bruising.

She died the next day.

A medical examiner determined her death was no accident.

"It's sad it actually breaks my heart like I said no child deserves that," said neighbor Rossina Marshall.

Police arrested Hughes in court Thursday while he was facing a domestic assault charge.

That incident occurred in early June.

The complaint says police found Neena Costanza with a bleeding lip and blood all over her face after an argument.

"When you learn the person accused of homicide was also accused of domestic violence in the home in June it's even more troubling," said Aaron.UPDATE: Boyfriend Charged With Killing Girlfriend's 17 Month Old Daughter

No comments: