McKeesport, PA – A McKeesport father has been charged for the death of his 5-month-old son, who died from his injuries after being found unresponsive by first responders on August 31st.
According to police, at around 12:27 a.m., McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service responded to Harrison Village in McKeesport for a 5-month-old infant who was not breathing.
The infant received medical assistance and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Upon examination, hospital staff determined that the infant had suffered subdural hemorrhaging, arachnoid hemorrhaging, and cerebral edema, all of which are indicative of the infant having been shaken.
McKeesport Police were immediately notified and requested assistance from the Allegheny County Police Detective Division.
The infant’s father, Michael Channing Barber, 29 years old, was found to be responsible for injuring the infant by detectives from the Homicide and General Investigation units. Upon being charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and recklessly endangering another person, Barber was lodged in the Allegheny County Jail to await his arraignment.
Michael Barber Jr. died from his injuries on September 4, 2022. According to the Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death was abusive head trauma, and the manner of death was a homicide. Detectives obtained a warrant charging Michael Barber with homicide on November 22, 2022. Michael Barber turned himself in to County Police.