KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – Kannapolis Police have arrested a man in connection with the death of a 17-day-old girl.
Maurice Lavon Daniels, 39, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, child abuse inflicting serious bodily injury, as well as unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Kannapolis Police said Daniels was arrested without incident at the Knights Inn on Nations Ford Road in southwest Charlotte Monday by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. He is being held in the Cabarrus County Jail without bond.
According to Kannapolis Police, investigators responded to a referral from the Department of Social Services on February 9 regarding the possible assault of a newborn. Police said the child was taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast before being moved to CMC-Main.
On Monday, the young girl died from her injuries. Investigators are still waiting on the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of her death. The warrant says the infant suffered abusive head trauma and a broken clavicle.
Neighbors told NBC Charlotte Daniels lived with the baby's mother. "They were together, and I know he was coming in and out of her apartment, so I assumed he was her boyfriend."
Investigators are still asking for help from the public if anyone knows anything about what happened to the baby.
"Its tragic. It is seriously tragic. You wouldn't think something like this would happen so close to you," a a neighbor said.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call KPD at 704-920-4000 or Cabarrus Area Crime Stoppers at 704-93-CRIME.