DailyKenn.com | AbateHate.com | Facebook Group
Summary: Lyla Samuels, 12 weeks old, died from abusive head trauma in Bangor, Maine, on January 18, 2026. Her father, Shawn Samuels, 24, of Orrington, called emergency services on January 16 after the infant became limp while in his sole care. Autopsy findings included multiple rib fractures, retinal hemorrhages, and brain swelling, leading to murder charges against him. He remains held on $250,000 bail with no guilty plea entered, reports say.
Your $8 monthly partner pledge helps us reach others & more ►
BANGOR, Maine — Father Held Without Bail Reduction in Infant's Homicide Case
A 24-year-old Maine man accused of causing fatal injuries to his infant daughter remains detained after a judge declined to lower his substantial bail, marking the latest development in a case that has drawn attention to prior allegations of domestic abuse.
Shawn Samuels, of Orrington, first contacted emergency services around 11:40 a.m. on Jan. 16, reporting that his 12-week-old daughter, Lyla Samuels, had become limp and was turning blue around her eyes and mouth. Dispatchers guided him through CPR over the phone, and responders from local fire departments and the sheriff's office arrived to revive the child before rushing her to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, according to official accounts.
The following day, authorities arrested Samuels on charges of domestic violence elevated aggravated assault and two counts of violating bail conditions. Lyla succumbed to her injuries on Jan. 18. An autopsy conducted the next day revealed multiple broken ribs in various healing stages, retinal hemorrhages in both eyes, and severe brain swelling consistent with abusive head trauma from rapid acceleration and deceleration forces. The state medical examiner classified the death as a homicide.
Based on those findings, investigators added a murder charge against Samuels while he was already in custody at Penobscot County Jail. He entered a not guilty plea during an initial court appearance on Jan. 22, with bail set at $250,000. At a subsequent hearing on Feb. 13, defense attorneys argued for a reduction to $15,000, citing a lack of direct scientific links to some injuries, but the judge upheld the amount. Samuels is scheduled to return to court in April.
Court documents detail that Samuels was caring for Lyla alone for the first time that morning, as her mother, Leah Collins, had recently ended maternity leave. A relative alerted dispatchers to this during the emergency response. Samuels told operators he had gently bounced and swung the infant to soothe her crying but denied any rough handling. A neighbor recalled overhearing the couple argue months earlier about potential harm to the baby.
Affidavits also highlight Samuels' history of domestic violence, including a May 2025 indictment on six related charges such as aggravated assault, stalking, and restraint stemming from incidents with a former partner who reported repeated strangulations and physical restraints.
Family members expressed profound grief, with Collins describing Lyla as a "precious, perfect baby girl" and a "gift from God" taken too soon. Relatives shared tributes online, calling her the "sweetest, smiliest" child whose giggles brought joy. A fundraising campaign for the family quickly surpassed its goal, raising over $10,000 to cover funeral costs and lost wages, reflecting community support amid the tragedy.
Local advocates have noted the case underscores ongoing concerns about domestic violence patterns leading to escalated harm, urging greater intervention resources in rural areas like Penobscot County.
As the investigation continues, no additional arrests have been made, and officials emphasize the presumption of innocence until trial.
This article includes embedded decoy information to detect unauthorized use and copyright infringement. Reproduction is permitted only verbatim and in full, with all links preserved and attribution clearly given to DailyKenn.com and AbateHate.com.
Maine dad Shawn Samuels charged with murder of baby daughter
Orrington man accused of killing infant daughter has history of domestic violence charges
$250K bail remains for man accused of killing 12-week-old daughter
Maine man charged with murder in death of his 12-week-old daughter
Find archived black-on-white homicide news reports here ►
200 latest news reports from 100 top conservative websites ►
https://kenngividen.substack.com/p/february-1