Norfolk, Va. - A Norfolk man arrested and charged after the December death of his infant son was denied bond on Wednesday.
Arthur Smith was charged with Second Degree Murder on December 27th. His son, Zion Lee Smith, had been brought to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters on December 23rd after being discovered unresponsive.
A Medical Examiner determined that the baby had suffered abusive head trauma.
New information from the Commonwealth’s Attorney says the autopsy showed that the cause of death was deceleration and acceleration traumatic brain injury.
According to the CA, Arthur Smith was home alone with the baby and four other children. Smith told police he got mad when the baby wouldn’t stop crying so he shook the baby twice. Police say he was playing video games at the time.
He reportedly told police the baby began breathing abnormally and blood started coming out of his nose.
A 5-year-old who was also in the house told to police he heard Smith yelling at the baby and that he went into the room and saw the baby bleeding.
Smith first called the baby’s mother before calling 911.
During his bond hearing, the public defender assigned to Smith argued that Smith would be living with his mother and also had a job at a temp agency. The public defender also says Smith also works as a part-time custodian at Suffolk Public Schools.
The CA says Smith has two other young children and strongly opposed bond. The judge agreed.
Smith will be back in court for a preliminary hearing in March.
