A 23-year-old Provo man was charged Tuesday with killing his girlfriend’s 4-month-old baby and later attempting to convince detectives he didn’t harm the child.
Cameron Willingham, who has a history of domestic violence, was the only person with Nevaeh King when medics showed up at their Provo home at 2092 Nevada Ave. on March 19. The baby was “unresponsive and not breathing,” according to charging documents filed in 4th District Court.
Willingham was dating the child’s mother, but was not the baby’s father, police said.
On March 21, about 36 hours after police found Nevaeh and hospitalized her, doctors took her off life support, and she died. She was likely brain dead when she arrived at the hospital, according to court documents.
Willingham, who was arrested the day Nevaeh died, denied causing any injuries to the child.
He told police he’d placed Nevaeh on the couch and given her a bottle to stop her from “freaking out.” He then went to take a shower and said he found her unconscious when he returned, according to court documents.
An autopsy discovered Nevaeh had severe skull, head, brain and spinal trauma, in addition to a fractured rib, dehydration and malnutrition.
(Photo courtesy of Kenneth Brown) Nevaeh King
“Doctors indicate these constellation of non-accidental injuries were inflicted by someone near the time when the child became incapacitated, unresponsive, and stopped breathing,” according to court documents.
Willingham reportedly admitted to “tossing” the baby on a bed, but the abuse, doctors told police, likely consisted of shaking, impacts to the head and squeezing the child’s stomach.
In addition, police said the bottle Willingham said he’d given Nevaeh before showering was in the sink and full of dried formula and mold, “as if it were old and not as described by Mr. Willingham as used that day.”
Willingham, who is charged with a first-degree felony count of child abuse homicide and second-degree felony obstructing justice, is being held in Utah County jail in lieu of a $250,000 cash-only bond.
He made an initial court appearance on Tuesday, and is due in court again on April 9 for a scheduling hearing.