Tuesday, a Somerset County man charged with killing a baby appeared in court.
Michael Wingard, 31, appeared before a judge. He and his girlfriend, 28-year-old Angalina Miller, are charged in the death of Miller’s 10-month-old baby girl, Arianna Miller.
Police said Arianna died of traumatic brain injuries she sustained while Miller and Wingard were watching her in April. Doctors say they think those injuries were caused by intentional force.
Tuesday morning, Wingard’s family sat behind their son in the courtroom.
“I support my son 100%,” said Wingard’s mother, Kathleen Wirick. “He didn’t do this.”
Investigators said Miller took the baby to Somerset Hospital, unconscious and unresponsive. Police said the baby died on April 14 at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Police and the district attorney’s office filed additional criminal homicide charges after the autopsy revealed the baby died from a blunt force head injury.
Wingard’s family said – despite the charges – they’re standing by their son.
“We’re going to see him through this,” said Ray Wirick, Wingard’s stepfather.
“The only thing I believe Michael is guilty of is not taking the baby to the hospital. And I think he was scared because he didn’t know what was going on,” Kathleen said.
Wingard’s preliminary hearing was postponed until December 19. Miller waived her preliminary hearing. She is set to be formally arraigned in January.
The couple remains at the Somerset County Jail.