A New York father is accused of murdering his 3-week-old daughter during an argument with his wife early on Monday.
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release that Patrick Proefriedt, 26, was involved in an argument with his wife at their Nineveh residence early on Monday morning.
The woman allegedly held the infant when Proefriedt launched a broadhead crossbow bolt at his wife but instead struck the infant first. The crossbow bolt “hit the child in the upper torso, exiting near the armpit” before striking the mother in the chest.
According to the press release, Proefriedt tried to remove the bolt and prevent his wife from dialing 911. He then allegedly fled the site in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck before the arrival of law enforcement.
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Eleanor Carey, a 3-week-old infant, was pronounced deceased at the scene, deputies stated in a press release. According to officials, the woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment of her injuries.
Officials located Proefriedt in a wooded area less than a mile from the residence after his pickup vehicle became mired in mud.
On June 9, he posted a photo of the newborn baby in the hospital with the caption, “My little baby girl.”
According to deputies, the suspect had a “history of domestic incidents with the victim,” and an “active Stay Away Order of Protection” was in effect.
For violating an order of protection, he is accused of second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and first-degree criminal contempt.
Sheriff Fred Akshar of Broome County, New York, stated, “This is one of the most heartbreaking and senseless crimes committed in this community in recent memory.”
“We are thinking of the family of this 3-week-old baby daughter. Akshar praised the swift and decisive response of our Law Enforcement division to this calamity, ensuring that Mr. Proefriedt did not evade justice.
A little over three hours northwest of New York City is Nineveh.
