A New York man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the death of his 2-week-old child, Eleanor, and attempted murder in the shooting of his spouse, Meggan.
In June 2023, New York officials were sent to the family’s home after receiving reports that a woman and her baby had been shot with a crossbow. Officers arrived first on the scene and discovered the mother cradling her newborn, who had a bolt embedded in her upper body. Despite rapid efforts, the child was pronounced dead on the site. The woman was brought to the hospital for a non-life-threatening chest wound.
Responding deputies discovered that the bullet impacted the baby’s upper torso, exited near her armpit, and then passed through her mother’s chest before coming to rest. The weapon was recovered at the spot. To apprehend the defendant, who had fled the home in his vehicle, a perimeter was established with the assistance of New York State Police, the Sheriff’s Office, and aerial drone teams. His car became stuck in mud less than a mile distant. He was arrested after hiding in the surrounding woods.
During interrogation, authorities determined that the shooting took place during an altercation between the defendant and his spouse, who was holding their baby. Prosecutors said he pulled the bolt from the baby’s body, covered his wife’s phone to prevent her from phoning 911, and fled the scene.
The wife informed the responding authorities that her husband had shot them without warning. She asked for assistance in a 911 call that was later played in court, and her voice can be heard pleading as she cradled the kid in her lap. Her narrative of the hectic minutes filled with anxiety and desperation became an important and painful component of the prosecution.
The sheriff’s office stated that the defendant had a history of domestic violence and was under an active order of protection at the time of the shooting. Sheriff Aksar called the crime one of the most painful and terrible in recent memory, explaining how the defendant fled into the woods and hid after being attacked.
During the sentencing, the victim’s mother publicly claimed that her former spouse is beyond redemption and demonstrates neither empathy nor humanity. According to New York officials, after his arrest, the defendant blamed his wife, alleging she dared him to fire, and never asked the responding deputies how she or their daughter was doing.
The case highlights the lethal consequences of domestic abuse, as well as the responsibilities of law enforcement and prosecutors in dealing with such catastrophes. Authorities continue to emphasize the necessity of spotting warning indicators and promptly executing protective orders in order to prevent future losses.