Couple Charged With First Degree Murder After Neglecting Hungry Baby In Car Seat To Die

A couple, Ruby Stephens, 23, and Roy Stephens, 48, of Indiana have been charged with first-degree murder for neglecting their 22-day-old baby to die of hunger while strapped in her car seat at the back of their car while they went in to eat at a Florida restaurant. 

The mother who came out hours later to check the baby, found out she was completely unresponsive and cold to the touch and called 911.

The police later arrested the couple and the mother confessed she had strictly breastfed the baby every two-three hours on their long trip to Florida. 

A medical examiner who later determined the death of the baby sad it was a homicide resulting from starvation due to neglect. The baby had been dead for more than three hours before the parents took notice and called for help.

An autopsy found Betsey weighed only 4lbs 1 ounce at death, having shed about 2lbs since her birth. Normal weight for her age was about 8lbs, the medical examiner's office said.

The baby was also dehydrated and appeared not to have been fed for six to seven hours prior to her death, the medical examiner also confirmed.

The mother however said, her husband whom she already has two kids for was not the biological father and had not paid much attention to her from birth. The obvious infidelity and subsequent pregnancy created a strain on the marriage, she said.

The couple were also traveling with their 1-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. They both appeared healthy and have been taken into protective custody.