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Highlands Today

AUTHORITIES: Baby Alexa Died Of Blunt Trauma

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By Joe  Seelig | Highlands Today

Published: January 9, 2008

The cause of death of 3-month-old Alexa Hall was released Wednesday by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office as blunt force trauma, not shaken baby syndrome as had been reported earlier.

The baby, Alexa Hall, died at St. Joseph's Hospital, where doctors reported it looked like a case of shaken baby syndrome.

"Originally it was diagnosed as shaken baby syndrome until the autopsy revealed otherwise," said Sheriff's Capt. Randy LaBelle on Wednesday. "The cause of death was blunt force trauma."

The autopsy was conducted by the District 13 Medical Examiner's Office in Hillsborough County.
The former boyfriend of the baby's mother, Edgar Michael Otero, 29, of Sebring, was indicted by a grand jury Tuesday afternoon on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.

Otero has been in the Highlands County Jail since his arrest on Dec. 4, when he was charged with aggravated child abuse.

On the morning of Nov. 12, Brandy Hall, the baby's mother and Otero reportedly brought the child in to the Florida Hospital emergency room for an unknown sickness.

Hospital officials decided the baby needed to be airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital.
At 12:25 p.m. Tuesday, life saving efforts were ended.

The baby was brain dead, said Sheriff's Lt. John Chess in a previous report.

Otero's arrest was based upon statements he made to detectives, according to a sheriff's office press release.

The child's grandmother, Sandy Carro, sent a written statement to Highlands Today on behalf of the baby's family.

"Alexa Faye Hall, known to her family as Lexi, was just 3 months old when her life was suddenly and violently taken from us. The grief our family is going through is indescribable.

"I can't begin to explain what this has done to us. We are a family with broken hearts and the grief is too much to bear. No one should have to endure this kind of senseless pain.

Lexi was a beautiful, sweet, defenseless baby who had every right to grow up and live her life. She was the center of our world. She made everyday so joyful.

The only comfort we have is knowing that a part of her will live on in the lives of three babies that she saved.

(Her organs were harvested for transport across the country to save the lives of three babies in three far-off cities.)

"I know there are so many people grieving with our family. We thank you for the love and support you have shown. The choice of one person and one person alone caused this horrific situation. No mother should have to bury their baby.

"We wait for the day that justice is served. I hope the justice system shows the same mercy that was showed to my granddaughter. Please pray for us as we try to cope with this devastating loss. We want justice for Lexi."

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