RADFORD, Va. (AP) - A Virginia man was charged with assaulting a woman and a child who later died, authorities said.
Andrew Jonathon Byrd, 33, was arrested Friday and charged with strangulation, assault of a household member and abduction, The Roanoke Times reported.
Radford City police said they responded to a domestic incident Friday and found an unresponsive juvenile in the home.
Radford Commonwealth’s Attorney Chris Rehak identified the victim as 2-year-old Harper Mitchell, who later died at the hospital. Rehak said additional charges were pending an autopsy report.
A search warrant said Byrd, Harper and her mother, Amanda Mitchell, lived together. While the trio were in a car, the warrant said Mitchell noticed something was wrong with the child and wanted to go to the hospital, but Byrd refused, became angry and punched Mitchell in the ear.
The abuse continued when they arrived home and later Mitchell told police Byrd choked her, forced a weapon into her mouth, and threatened to kill her and himself if Mitchell called the police, the warrant said.
Rehak declined to further comment on the case. Details surrounding Harper’s death weren’t immediately released.
It’s unclear whether Byrd had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
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