Dad charged with murder in baby's death

ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. (WAVY) - Robert Molinski, the father of four-month-old Piper Molinski, has been charged with first degree murder in connection with her death, the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office said. 

The autopsy on the baby girl shows she died from blunt force trauma to her head, according to Capt. Rick Gaddis with the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office.

The baby's parents, Robert Molinski and Mary Webb, appeared in court Wednesday morning for their arraignment following the allegations of abuse involving their four-month-old twin girls.

Piper died at CHKD Tuesday while her twin sister, Ella, remains in critical but stable condition at CHKD.

At the arraignment, Molinski requested a public defender while Webb asked the judge if she could work with her father to hire an attorney. The judge granted Webb the opportunity and has until 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 21 to hire one.

According to Maggie Swan with the Isle of Wight Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, both Molinski and Webb are due to be back in court on Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. concerning an abuse and neglect petition. This is not related to Molinski's criminal charges.

Swan says Webb has not retained an attorney so she will advise the court on Feb 21 if she will hire an attorney at the same hearing on the abuse and neglect petition.

Molinski's preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on April 9. No bond hearings are scheduled for any parents at this time.

WAVY.com looked into Molinski's criminal history.

In 2008, he was convicted of grand larceny for taking parts from a vehicle in Hampton. That same year, Molinski pleaded guilty to running from a police officer in Newport News. In March 2011, he was convicted of tampering with a vehicle and swearing in public while drunk.  Three months later, an obstruction of justice charge and in October, Molinski's record shows he trespassed on someone's property.

According to Pamela Barton, Director of Isle of Wight Social Services, prior to Sunday, Social Services had never been to the Stallings Creek Drive Home. Ella is now in the custody of Social Services.

Webb's four-year-old daughter is staying with family members, according to Social Services.