Man charged in baby’s death

Published 11:22 am Tuesday, February 13, 2018

KANNAPOLIS — The boyfriend of the mother of a 17-day-old baby who died after an assault was charged with murder Tuesday.

Maurice Lavon Daniels, 39, was arrested for probation violations Monday by Charlotte Mecklenburg police officers at the Knights Inn motel at 7901 Nations Ford Road in Charlotte.

He was then transported to the Kannapolis Police Department, where investigators determined that he had a role in the infant’s death.

Daniels was charged with murder and child abuse and is being held in the Cabarrus County Law Enforcement Building without bond.

On Friday, the Kannapolis Police Department received a Department of Social Services referral about the possible assault of the 17-day-old girl. The child was initially taken to Carolinas Medical Center Northeast then transported to Carolinas Medical Center Main in Charlotte.

On Monday, the baby died because of her injuries. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, according to a Kannapolis police report.

“Our Felony Investigation Unit continues to investigate this incident,” the department said in an email. “Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, we are unable to provide any other specific information at this time.”

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Daniels was on probation on a felony charge of burning property.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Kannapolis Police Department at 704-920-4000. People can also direct messages to the agency at @kannapolis911 on Twitter or Kannapolis911 on Facebook.