HUNTER RYAN MEADOWS - 25 Days/ Accused: Father-Jared - Covington VA

A Covington man is facing a capital murder charge in the death of his newborn baby.

Media outlets report that 25-year-old Jared Meadows was
arrested Tuesday and charged with capital murder and felony child abuse
in the death of his 25-day-old baby. He could face the death penalty
for the capital murder charge.

The Covington Police and Rescue squad responded to a
call of an infant experiencing difficulty breathing Sept. 24. The infant
died Sept. 26 at a Roanoke hospital.

Police said an investigation found the infant died of "non-accidental" injuries.
The death remains under investigation.

Meadows is being held in the Alleghany Regional Jail with no bond.

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/nation/2011/10/va-man-could-face-death-his-babys-murder#ixzz1ZyLvDckR

From 10/5/2011

We got photos from Jared Meadows' Facebook page from not long after the infant was born. Commonwealth's Attorney Eric Stein tells me police thought very early in the investigation that this child's death was no accident.

"The medical examiner is absolutely sure it was not any type of accidental means,” said Stein.

They've arrested and charged 25 year old Meadows, with Capital Murder, for the September 24th incident.

I asked Stein why they charged Meadows with capital murder, where the maximum penalty is the death penalty.

"Virginia law says the premeditated of a child under the age of 14 is capital murder. We wouldn't have charged him if we didn't believe it,” said Stein.

He wouldn't give me the specific cause of death, but did say the
infant had multiple injuries on several different parts of his body.

Stein says the details of the case have made it especially tough for him and the officers involved.

"Anytime you have the death of a young child it's extremely hard... Officer Duncan and the Covington Police Department as essentially worked ten days nonstop, night and day until we were in a position to bring the charges,” said Stein.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney
says the child’s mother is cooperating with the investigation. They do
not believe she was involved in the death and have no plans to charge
her at this time.


http://www2.wsls.com/news/2011/oct/05/6/covington-father-charged-capital-murder-death-infa-ar-1360613/

I posted another source at the suggestion of a guest reader who was doubtful of the initial report.

A Covington man has been indicted on capital murder charges in the death of his infant son.
An Allegheny County grand jury also indicted 25-year-old Jared Meadows on felony child abuse charges Monday.


The Roanoke Times reports Meadows
is accused of forcefully placing his son on the uncushioned armrest of a
couch, causing a skull fracture.


The child was 27 days old when he died
last September. An autopsy report and testimony from a preliminary
hearing in February showed the child also had suffered multiple broken
bones and eye and brain injuries.

http://www.wric.com/story/17370808/va-father-charged-with-murder-in-infant-sons-death