A 7-week-old infant has died of head injuries that authorities believe she suffered as a result of abusive treatment by her father, a Ft. Carson soldier.
Nicolette Klinker died Tuesday night in Children’s Hospital, said El Paso County Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa Kirkman.
The father, Johnathan Klinker, 21, remains in custody in El Paso County on $25,000 bond.
Kirkman said an autopsy should be completed by Thursday. “We’re still looking at this case, but now we’re treating it as a homicide,” she said.
Based on the autopsy results, Klinker could be charged with either first-degree murder or child abuse resulting in death, she said.
According to the arrest warrant, Klinker said his daughter had been “fussy” and he shook her four or five times. Klinker said he spun the girl around in circles, then tipped her upside down and moved her up and down “a couple of times.”
He also said he sat her on the floor and let her fall back, striking her head on the floor four to five times.
The baby suffered visible bruising to her face, brain hemorrhaging, retinal hemorrhaging and seizures, according to the affidavit.
