Investigators said wellness checks helped narrow when the baby’s fatal injuries occurred.
WEST READING, Pa. — A homicide case against two parents is moving forward after investigators said a newborn boy suffered fatal traumatic injuries during a short, documented window inside a hospital maternity room.
The charges against Kevin Canaan, 28, and Yeniffer Tavarez-Cepeda, 25, were filed May 19, more than two weeks after police responded to Tower Health Reading Hospital. Authorities said the infant had been healthy before he was found in medical distress in a private patient recovery room on May 2.
Hospital staff alerted authorities after the newborn’s condition changed. A nurse reported the child was pale, limp and breathing loudly, according to local reports citing the complaint. The baby was transferred by air to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for advanced care. He was pronounced dead May 3.
The Dauphin County Forensic Center performed an autopsy May 5. The examination found multiple traumatic injuries and classified the death as a homicide. Medical personnel told investigators the injuries were not caused by delivery and were consistent with physical abuse, authorities said.
The case relies heavily on the hospital timeline. Detectives said wellness checks by medical staff showed the injuries happened within a limited period while the baby was in the care of his parents. Investigators also said Canaan and Tavarez-Cepeda noticed the baby was in distress but failed to seek help from hospital staff.
Canaan, of Reading, and Tavarez-Cepeda, of New York City, are each charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. After warrants were issued, both were taken into custody and transported for processing and arraignment in Berks County.
Authorities have not publicly described the exact injuries in full detail, and they have not released a final theory explaining how each defendant allegedly participated. Online court records cited by local outlets did not identify defense attorneys for either parent.
The case now shifts from the hospital investigation to court, where prosecutors are expected to present evidence from medical staff, detectives, forensic findings and hospital records. No future hearing date was immediately available in the reports reviewed Wednesday.
Author note: Last updated May 20, 2026.