Man Indicted For First-Degree Murder In Baby's Death
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 32-year-old Albany man has been indicted on murder charges in connection with the Sept. 3 death of his infant son.
Robert John Kaiser was indicted by a Stearns County grand jury Friday for first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder in the death of a 2-month-old boy in the town of Farming.
According to the charges, the Stearns County Sheriff's Office received a report on Aug. 28 that the infant was being airlifted to Children's Hospital. The baby had a head injury and abuse was suspected.
The complaint states that Kaiser and the boy's mother brought him into the Albany hospital on the evening of Aug. 27, as he was having trouble breathing and was seizing. He later was transported to Children's Hospital.
According to the complaint, Kaiser told authorities that he had been caring for the child when the child was injured. Kaiser initially denied that the child had suffered any trauma, but later admitted to falling when he was holding the baby.
Kaiser demonstrated how he fell for investigators, who videotaped the demonstration. A board certified child abuse pediatrician reviewed the video and told officials the injuries were not consistent with that type of fall.
According to the complaint, the infant's mother confirmed that Kaiser had been watching the baby alone and added that she had received texts from him saying the baby would not let him sleep. She also mentioned the child had acted differently after she returned.
The infant died on Sept. 3 due to traumatic brain injury. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner ruled the child's death a homicide.
Kaiser is scheduled to appear in Stearns County Court Friday afternoon. If convicted of murder, Kaiser faces of maximum penalty of life in prison.
