Left to right: Ashley Susana Usadel and Travis Scott Smart (Northumberland County Prison).
A couple in Pennsylvania, the parents of a newborn baby, have been taken into custody following the tragic death of their child. They are accused of not using a bassinet or crib for the baby, choosing instead to have the baby sleep in their bed, where the tragic incident occurred. Ashley Susana Usadel, 31, and Travis Scott Smart, 34, were arrested and charged with child endangerment in the death of their son, Zane Scott Usadel-Smart.
Usadel is also facing an additional charge of involuntary manslaughter.
According to reports from Law&Crime citing court records, the Sunbury Police Department responded to a call about an unresponsive infant at a residence on North Sixth Street around 2:30 a.m. on April 10. Upon arrival, first responders found the father trying to revive the baby, who was lying face-up on a bed in the living room. They took over CPR but were unable to save the child.
Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, the baby, Zane, was pronounced dead at the scene. The authorities then got in touch with the Northumberland County Coroner’s Office and the local Children and Youth Services department to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
Both parents were reportedly transported to the police station, where they underwent interviews with detectives.
According to a report from PennLive, Usadel said that she laid down in bed at about 9:30 p.m. the previous evening with the baby. She was allegedly holding Zane in her right arm and breastfeeding him while using her left hand to hold her phone and scroll through her TikTok feed. At some point, she said she fell asleep and believed Zane rolled out of her arms and onto the bed. She said she awoke to find him unresponsive next to her on the bed.
Authorities on the scene reportedly said they observed a “large discoloration” on Zane’s forehead.
As the questioning continued, Usadel reportedly said that she normally puts Zane down in a “Pack ‘n Play,” but claimed it had not been set up on that evening.
Smart reportedly said he fell asleep in the same bed as Usadel and the baby at about 11 p.m., noting that Usadel typically performed the bedtime routine with Zane. When investigators asked about the baby not having a crib or bassinet, Smart allegedly responded, “They haven’t got around to it.” He allegedly added that Usadel tends to fall asleep with Zane in her arms.
Three other children were at the residence and authorities reportedly placed them in the care of Children and Youth Services. A search warrant was reportedly executed on the home that included items such as pillows, blankets, and clothing that could reveal additional evidence about Zane’s death.
Both parents were booked into the Northumberland County Jail. Usadel’s bond was set at $50,000 while Smart’s bond was set at $10,000.
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