NEW HOLLAND, Pa. — A man from Lancaster County has been charged with homicide after he allegedly shook his three-month-old daughter in an incident that has shocked the local community. The West Earl Township Police Department reported that David Souden, 47, confessed to violently shaking his infant daughter multiple times last week when she would not stop crying.
The events unfolded on February 1 when emergency responders were called to a residence on Wecaf Road shortly after 5:30 p.m. A three-month-old girl was found unresponsive in her bassinet. Despite efforts by medical personnel, she was initially transported to Lancaster General Hospital before being flown to Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
According to court documents, Souden arrived at the police station about an hour later, stating he needed to report that he had killed his daughter. He recounted an incident where, while feeding the child, she began to cry. Overcome with frustration, he allegedly shook her violently three to four times, causing her head to snap back and forth before she stopped breathing. Souden reported observing a blank stare on his daughter’s face, followed by a change in her color and a limpness in her body.
After the shaking, Souden attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but quickly concluded that she was already dead. Disturbingly, he left her alone in the home without seeking medical help. Surveillance footage from a neighbor captured him walking away from the residence at approximately 5:15 p.m., well before paramedics arrived about 20 minutes later.
Following an investigation, authorities revealed that the infant sustained severe injuries, including a skull fracture, brain hemorrhages, and internal damage due to a lack of oxygen. Tragically, she was pronounced dead on February 5.
Souden now faces serious charges, including third-degree homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. Medical professionals emphasize that shaken baby syndrome, which can lead to severe neurological damage or death, is preventable through education and awareness.
The local community is grappling with the implications of this incident as discussions about child safety and parental responsibilities continue.