Mother Arrested For Murder After Abused Baby Girl Dies From Injuries

The mother of an baby girl has been arrested for murder after the baby died from injuries allegedly inflicted by her father.  The father, who is already in jail, has also been charged with murder.

Burbank Police became involved in the case on October 23, when doctors at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles suspected that the five week-old infant’s injuries were the result of abuse. The baby was being treated for swelling of the brain, and had several broken bones.  She was taken off life support ad succumbed to her injuries on November 9.

The 19 year-old father, Matthew Wojcik of Burbank was initially arrested for child abuse, and remained in custody.  Following the baby’s death, his charges were amended to include murder and child abuse causing death.  At the time of his arrest, the baby’s mother was not arrested.

According to Lt. Ed Ruiz of the Burbank Police Department, “After the baby’s death, and the completion of our department’s investigation, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office decided to charge the mother, Elizabeth Carter, 21, of Burbank, with murder.”   It is believed that the mother was present when the baby was being abused.   Carter is being held in jail in lieu of $130,000 bail.  She is due in court on November 27.