Putnam County woman arrested in connection with death of 16-day-old baby

Closed handcuffs on the sidewalk at night with high-contrast police lights. (Adobe Stock)

PUTNAM COUNTY, WV (WVNS) — A Putnam County woman has been arrested in connection with the death of a 16-day-old baby.

Brooke Kessler, 33, of Hurricane was arrested for child abuse causing great bodily injury, strangulation, willful injury and homicide of a child by a parent or guardian.

On Thursday, June 20, 2024, at approximately 9:40 p.m., a West Virginia State Police trooper responded to CAMC Women’s & Children’s Hospital for a report of an unresponsive 16-day-old baby hospitalized from Charles Court in the Hurricane area of ​​Putnam County.

The officer found that the baby had several serious injuries, and CAMC medical staff advised him that the injuries appeared suspicious and intentionally inflicted. After further examination and interview, the officer determined that the baby had been injured while in Kessler’s care.

The baby was pronounced dead by medical personnel at approximately 3:41 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2024, after life support was discontinued at CAMC Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Kessler, who was arrested around 4:00 a.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024, on charges of child abuse causing great bodily harm, strangulation, and willful injury, was later charged with homicide of a child by parent or guardian on June 24, 2024, after the officer refiled charges with the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office.

The investigations are still ongoing.