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Police:Mom killed infant

Kayla Moore
She allegedly kicked her child to death

FALLS TWP, Bucks County — A former Butler woman was arrested Wednesday and charged with kicking her infant daughter to death.

Police say Kayla M. Moore, 23, of Morrisville, Pa., admitted to kicking her daughter, Athena Wolfe, numerous times in her head and body Sunday before calling for an ambulance.

She is charged with criminal homicide, felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of children.

She was arraigned Wednesday and is being held without bail.

Moore allegedly called for an ambulance to come to her apartment saying that Athena was in cardiac arrest. Medical personnel found the infant unresponsive, but stabilized her and took her to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, according to court records.

The first responders reported the child appeared to be badly malnourished and had extensive bruising on her face, back and chest.

Members of a team that looks into cases of suspected child abuse and child neglect told police that Athena showed signs of being a “terribly battered and injured child.”

She was pronounced dead from her injuries at 7 a.m. Monday and an autopsy found her cause of death to be blunt force trauma.

Police confirmed Moore is originally from Butler and also lived in Ford City, Armstrong County.

Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler said she had been living with boyfriend Anthony Herrera for about one year. Police did not believe Herrera was present for the alleged assault, and he has not been charged with any crimes.

Moore has two other children, ages 1 and 4, Heckler said. The 4-year-old was living with her and is now in social services custody. The 1-year-old was not living with her.

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