A Butler County man is facing homicide and child abuse charges after his 2-month-old son was found unresponsive and later died from head injuries, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Emergency crews responded around 2:41 p.m. on November 8 to a home on Spooner Drive in Butler Township after receiving a report of an infant not breathing. Police said the baby showed visible bruising on his head and torso when first responders arrived.
The child was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy later determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.
Investigators learned that the baby had been under the sole supervision of his father, Vincent Miceli, at the time of the incident. Miceli allegedly told police he left the room to prepare a bottle and returned to find the bruise on his son’s head had grown larger and the infant was shaking. Instead of calling 911, he contacted the baby’s mother, who then alerted police.
Authorities say Miceli later took a shower while officers were arriving at the home. He reportedly gave inconsistent statements to investigators, claiming the bruise on the baby’s stomach occurred while they were “playing,” but he couldn’t explain the head injuries.
Neighbors expressed their shock at the tragedy. “I never would have thought in a million years their baby was in danger, especially so close, two doors down,” said Wendy Fischer, a nearby resident. “I felt really scared, shaken, sick, heartbroken, and in shock.”
Miceli has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and endangering the welfare of children. He is currently being held in the Butler County Prison.
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