Dad charged with murder held on $100K bond
NILES — A man charged with the murder of his 5-week-old daughter is being held on a $100,000 bond, according to Niles Municipal Court records.
Matthew Wilson, 32, did not enter a plea to the first-degree felony charge when he was arraigned via video Tuesday in the court, where he is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing March 1, according to court records.
Wilson was booked Saturday into the Trumbull County Jail.
Aubrianna I. Wilson died Feb. 15 at Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron. According to the Summit County Coroner’s Office, where the girl is being examined, autopsy results will not be ready until June.
A Niles police radio log for Feb. 11 reported the baby was brought into the hospital with “brain bleeds and rib fractures.” The log states the baby underwent surgery that day and was transported to the intensive care unit.
The Niles Police Department, Niles Fire Department and Lane Ambulance responded the day before to 1017 Bellair Court on a medical call for what was reported as a baby with a heart condition.
Police officers were told Feb. 11 by a hospital staff member that the girl may have been abused and her injuries could have been caused by the baby being shaken or squeezed, according to the call log.
The information triggered an investigation conducted by Niles police detectives, Trumbull County Children Services and the Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office, according to a Niles news release.
Matt Wilson’s father, Charles Wilson of Minerva, said the injury occurred as the result of an accidental fall, when he spoke Sunday to Tribune Chronicle news partner 27 WKBN. According to Charles Wilson, his son was holding the baby when he tripped on a toy and accidentally fell on the infant.
“And he went on top of her. He got up, she got up. He rubbed her and checked her, and everything seemed that it was all right,” Charles Wilson told WKBN.
Charles Wilson said, however, the baby’s condition worsened the next day.
According to police records, Children Services sent an investigator Monday to the hospital.
The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles is handling arrangements for Aubrianna Wilson. Although the father of the girl is not listed in her obituary, police identified him as her dad.
The girl’s mother, Brittany Watkins, did not immediately return a voicemail left Tuesday seeking comment.
rfox@tribtoday.com
In court
Matthew Wilson, 32, is scheduled to appear March 1 in Niles Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing in connection to a charge of murder, which was filed after the death of his 5-week-old daughter.
COMMENTS