Father Severely Beat Baby, Police Say

A Mesquite man is in jail after police said he severely injured his infant daughter. Doctors do not expect her to survive.

According to the Mesquite Police Department, paramedics responded to a call in the 2300 block of Bamboo Street on Sunday at about 1 a.m. They took 4-month-old Leah Miller to the hospital where doctors determined she suffered blunt force trauma to her head and ribs.

Officers questioned and then arrested the baby’s father, 23-year-old Franzwa Miller. He was charged with injury to a child, police said.

The baby’s mother was not arrested.

Neighbors are at a loss. Antoine Page said he often chatted with Miller.

“He got a good head on his shoulders. He like trying to get his life right and do everything good,” Page said.

A Child Protective Services representative said the agency has no history involving the family. However, it did take custody of another 18-month-old girl living in the apartment.

Doctors have ruled the baby brain dead. She is on life support so that her organs can be donated, the CPS representative said.

Police said they may upgrade the charges against Miller to murder following an autopsy.