A horrific incident unfolded in Vero Beach, Florida, as a two-month-old baby girl lost her life after choking on a baby wipe. The father, Joseph Napier, initially attempted CPR under the guidance of emergency dispatchers. However, when authorities arrived at the scene, the child was unresponsive and turning blue. Despite their efforts, the infant did not survive. A subsequent investigation revealed disturbing details that led to Napier’s arrest on charges of manslaughter.
Upon receiving the distress call, dispatchers immediately provided instructions to Joseph Napier on how to administer CPR to his choking daughter. Simultaneously, they alerted police deputies and fire rescue to rush to the scene. However, when authorities arrived at the Vero Beach home, they found the child unresponsive and turning blue. A responding deputy promptly took over the CPR procedure, but tragically, the infant could not be saved.
During the preliminary investigation, Joseph Napier informed deputies that the infant had choked, and he had noticed a small white object in the back of her mouth. He claimed to have left the child unattended on a couch with his 18-month-old daughter for approximately 10 minutes. Shockingly, Napier waited an additional 5 minutes before calling 911 after discovering the child choking and in distress. Medical professionals later discovered that a baby wipe had obstructed the infant’s airway, leading to her death.
Detectives, during their two-year investigation, determined that Napier had spent around 30 minutes on his cell phone, rendering his timeline inaccurate. Based on the evidence collected and consultations with medical physicians, authorities concluded that Joseph Napier was the only person present at the time who could have placed the baby wipe deep in the child’s throat. Consequently, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office announced Napier’s arrest on Monday, charging him with manslaughter. He is currently held at the Indian River County Jail on a $750,000 bond.