Charge Upgraded For Father After Missouri Infant Dies

A 9-week-old Missouri baby whose father is accused of sticking his fingers down the child's throat to stop his crying has died, and the father is now facing an upgraded criminal charge.

Wentzville Assistant Police Chief Paul West says the boy died Monday at a St. Louis hospital after a family court judge ordered that he be removed from life-support.

The parents, 19-year-old Robert Burnette and 20-year-old Megan Hendricks, were originally charged with felony child abuse or neglect. On Tuesday, the St. Charles County prosecutor upgraded the charge against Burnette to child abuse resulting in death.

Police say Burnette shoved his fingers down the infant son's throat, violently shook him, picked him up by his neck and threw him against a wall.

Police say Hendricks watched but didn't intervene.