Man charged in death of 3-month-old daughter
A 33-year-old man charged in the slaying of his 3-month-old daughter told investigators he accidentally dropped her on her head last week, a Las Vegas police report released Monday said.
Police said Justin Forsgren was booked at the Clark County jail last week on one count of murder by child abuse and two counts of felony child abuse or neglect.
Jail records show Forsgren was booked as Villanova-Forsgrentho.
A doctor who examined the baby concluded the injuries were not consistent with Forsgren's story of how his daughter was critically injured, the report said.
The doctor concluded the baby was physically abused, including "violent shaking."
The report said Forsgren's daughter, Rayea Forsgren, was admitted to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center Thursday with multiple rib fractures, a clavicle fracture and brain injuries.
Investigators spoke with Forsgren at his home near Swenson Street and Desert Inn Road.
The report said Forsgren could not provide a time frame for his daughter's injuries. He told investigators he had just fed her a bottle and was attempting to burp her.
"He thought he heard his house phone ring and turned toward it," the report said. "At this time Rayea arched backwards causing him to lose his grip and allowing her to fall head first on the carpeted floor."
Forsgren's 36-year-old girlfriend, Rayea's mother, arrived at the home with her 10-year-old daughter.
Forsgren conducted CPR on the baby while the mother called 911.
Forsgren told police he had smoked methamphetamine the day before he dropped his daughter. He denied being under the influence of drugs when his daughter was injured. Forsgren consented to a blood draw, police said.
Forsgren was interviewed a second time and said he thought the injuries might have happened during CPR.
"This is my fault, I dropped her," the report said.
The doctor told police some of the injuries the girl suffered could not be caused by CPR.
The Clark County coroner's office said the baby died Saturday. The cause of death was pending Monday afternoon.
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638. Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.
