Parents arrested after 4-month-old dies

SMITHFIELD, Va. (WAVY) - The Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office has confirmed one of two 4-month-olds being treated for abuse has died and her parents have been charged with felony child neglect.

WAVY TV 10 was there as deputies arrested Mary Leann Webb and Robert Molinski Tuesday afternoon at Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk.

Emergency crews were called out to 10476 Stallings Creek Drive in Smithfield at 6:40 p.m Sunday. A 911 caller reported that a 4-month-old was unresponsive.

CPR was performed and the infant was transported to CHKD via Nightingale helicopter.

The infant's twin was also taken to CHKD the same day. Investigators determined both were victims of severe child abuse and neglect.

The child found unresponsive was reportedly short of breath and appeared malnourished. Gaddis added the baby's twin sister was also malnourished and bruised. He said the twins had similar injuries.

Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kristin Wilda says one of the twin girls, named Piper, passed away Tuesday morning. Her twin sister, Ella, remains in stable condition. Both girls suffered skull fractures, fractured ribs and bruising. Piper also suffered burns on the soles of her feet, according to investigators.

The Sheriff's Office and Child Protective Services are conducting a joint investigation.

The Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office says that the infants were living with both parents in the home of their maternal grandfather at Stallings Creek Drive in Smithfield. The family just moved to Smithfield from Newport News about a month ago.

Gaddis said only the parents face charges, adding that there is no indication the twin's grandfather was involved.

"He's been very cooperative with us throughout the entire investigation," Gaddis said. " So I don't anticipate any charges against him."

Investigators served a search warrant Monday night, bringing items out of the home in brown bags, among them a golf club wrapped in plastic.

Authorities said a four-year-old child, who also lives in the home, showed no signs of abuse or neglect.