WALTON, Ky. — A Kentucky father is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say a nanny-camera recording captured him repeatedly abusing his 3-month-old daughter and allegedly suffocating her when she cried.
Shaun Christopher Webb, 36, was taken into custody this week and charged with 10 counts of first-degree child abuse, according to court records.
The allegations came to light after a detective with the Boone County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home in Walton on Friday. Investigators had reportedly received video footage that allegedly showed Webb abusing his infant daughter two days earlier.
The recording, taken from a nanny camera in the home’s living room, was reportedly timestamped between 9:51 and 9:58 a.m. on Aug. 19.
Nanny Camera Allegedly Captured Abuse
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Webb was in the living room with his 2-year-old son and infant daughter when the alleged abuse began.
About two minutes into the recording, authorities say Webb removed the crying baby from a couch and placed her on the floor. The affidavit alleges that Webb then open-hand slapped the infant while she continued crying.
Investigators say the situation escalated moments later.
Webb allegedly grabbed the baby’s face and the back of her head with both hands, using what the detective described as a “vice-like grip.”
According to the affidavit, the baby’s limbs “dangled” as Webb pressed his hands inward for approximately 19 seconds. During that time, authorities say the infant stopped crying but continued flailing her arms and legs.
Police Say Baby Was Repeatedly Suffocated
The allegations did not end there. Authorities say Webb then placed his right hand over the baby’s nose and mouth.
According to the detective’s account, the infant stopped crying while continuing to move her arms and legs for approximately 11 seconds.
The charging document alleges that Webb continued to abuse the child during the incident.
Investigators later questioned Webb about what was captured on the recording. During a post-Miranda interview, he allegedly admitted “to what was observed in the video,” according to the affidavit.
Authorities say Webb also provided an explanation for why he repeatedly covered his daughter’s face.
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Father Allegedly Described Abuse as ‘Training’
According to investigators, Webb allegedly characterized the behavior as a way of “training” his daughter not to cry, comparing the method to training a dog.
The detective also asked Webb whether he had used the same technique on his older child.
Authorities say Webb allegedly admitted that he had previously suffocated his 2-year-old son approximately four times before the boy reached 9 months old.
That allegation has added another serious dimension to the case as investigators examine Webb’s reported treatment of both children.
The accusations are based on the surveillance footage, the detective’s observations and Webb’s alleged statements during the investigation.
Webb Held on $500,000 Bond
Webb was booked into the Boone County Jail, where records show he remains held on $500,000 bond.
It was not immediately clear when Webb was scheduled to make his next court appearance. The charges against him are allegations, and a criminal defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Authorities have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
The case is now moving through the court system, with investigators and prosecutors expected to review the evidence surrounding the alleged abuse of the infant and the claims involving Webb’s older child.
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