Indianapolis father arrested in death of 3-month-old girl

A 23-year-old Indianapolis father was arrested today on a preliminary charge of murder in connection with the death of his 3-month-old daughter, after an autopsy revealed she had traumatic injuries to her head and leg.

Christopher Schafer, who also faces preliminary charges of neglect resulting in the death of a child and battery to a child resulting in death, initially told police that he had fallen asleep with Giuliana Grace on his chest.

Schafer said he awoke to find the baby pinned between him and the couch and that she was not breathing, according to a police report.

Police were dispatched at 1:07 a.m. to a Northeastside apartment in the 6800 block of Brendon Way South Drive, near East 56th Street and I-465.

Police found the baby unresponsive and she was taken by ambulance to Community North Hospital in critical condition, according to a news release from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

She was pronounced dead a short time later.

After an autopsy by the the Marion County coroner's office, the baby's death was ruled a homicide by blunt-force trauma to her head and left leg.

Schafer was questioned, arrested and booked at the Arrestee Processing Center late Wednesday afternoon. The Marion County prosecutor's office will decide on what formal charges to file.

Call Star reporter Diana Penner at (317) 444-6249 and follow her on Twitter @dianapenner.