BANGOR, ME – A Maine father faces murder charges this week after police say his first time caring for his infant daughter alone ended in tragedy.

Shawn Samuels, 24, was arrested on January 17, the day after his 12-week-old daughter, Lyla, was found unresponsive in her Bangor home. First responders rushed to the scene following a 911 call and managed to revive the baby before transporting her to a nearby hospital.

Investigators say the child’s condition prompted an immediate probe from state detectives. Just two days later, Lyla died as a result of her injuries, and authorities elevated charges against Samuels to include murder and domestic violence.

According to law enforcement records, Lyla’s mother, Leah Collins, had recently returned to work after her maternity leave, leaving Samuels as her sole caregiver for the first time. The morning of the incident, Samuels reportedly told officers that he was feeding Lyla when she suddenly stopped breathing. After he burped her, she began breathing again but remained unresponsive, according to police documents.

Authorities say a relative made the 911 call, telling emergency dispatchers that it was the father’s initial experience watching his infant daughter by himself.

During interviews with detectives, Samuels allegedly asserted that he had not dropped, shaken, or intentionally harmed Lyla. He admitted to bouncing her on his knee and swinging her gently in his arms. When investigators pressed him about whether these actions could have led to injuries, Samuels allegedly replied, “Yeah.”

An autopsy later revealed that Lyla suffered from four fractured ribs, retinal bleeding, and swelling and hemorrhaging in her brain. The state medical examiner classified the manner of death as homicide, noting that the brain injuries were likely due to violent acceleration and deceleration forces, often associated with shaking.

Following the news of Lyla’s passing, Samuels’ legal situation intensified. He is facing murder charges on top of initial accusations of domestic violence aggravated assault and violating bail conditions. Samuels is currently being held at the Penobscot County Jail with bail set at $250,000. Court records indicate his next hearing is scheduled for February 13.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Lyla’s maternal family has set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses and related costs.

As the investigation continues, authorities have not yet released further details regarding the ongoing case or the official cause of the infant’s death, citing the sensitive nature of the situation and pending court proceedings.