Graphic details: Infant had so many haemorrhages that doctors could not count them and likened her fatal injuries to those suffered in a ‘car crash’

An Army soldier has been formally charged with the murder of his eight-month-old daughter, who prosecutors allege was beaten to death while in his care. The case has drawn significant attention due to the tragic circumstances and the delayed filing of charges.

Medical examiners in North Carolina ruled the death of infant Misty Delatorre a homicide shortly after she passed away last year. Despite this, charges were not brought against anyone until this month. Over the past year, Misty’s mother, Alina Delatorre, and grandmother, Misty Bray, have tirelessly fought for justice for the infant, who suffered fatal head injuries while under the care of her father, Sgt. Gabriel Ceville, a soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty.

“She was so innocent,” said Misty Bray in an interview with ABC11. “She didn’t even have her first tooth yet when she died. I just want justice. Someone needs to be held accountable.”

Sgt. Ceville now faces charges of unpremeditated murder, involuntary manslaughter, and domestic violence. However, the domestic violence charge is related to another family member and not his daughter.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of a custody battle between Misty’s parents, with both sharing custody of their daughter. During a preliminary court hearing on Wednesday, a military prosecutor revealed that Sgt. Ceville had sent text messages to his wife expressing distress over a headache and Misty’s screaming. Shortly thereafter, he texted her again, stating that Misty was unresponsive and had vomited. 911 records show that Sgt. Ceville reported his daughter was not breathing, and Misty was subsequently airlifted to UNC Hospital, where she died a few days later.

An autopsy ruled Misty’s death as resulting from blunt force trauma, and the manner of death was declared a homicide. The medical examiner’s report, obtained by WRAL, indicated that Misty’s injuries were “highly associated with abusive head trauma in infants.” The report also noted that Misty was home alone with her father at the time, who claimed he had slapped her on the back to clear her airway after she vomited.

Prosecutors highlighted the severity of Misty’s injuries, which included severe brain and eye trauma comparable to those sustained in a serious car crash. The injuries were so extensive that doctors could not count the number of hemorrhages.

“It’s a step, but it’s far from justice,” said Misty’s mother, Alina Delatorre. “I cannot grieve properly for my baby because justice has not been served. It is unbelievable that so much violence was inflicted onto an innocent 8-month-old baby. My daughter’s murderer is walking free, and we will not stop until that monster is put away.”

A spokesperson for the Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC) confirmed to Law & Crime that after a preliminary investigation, charges were preferred against Sgt. Ceville in connection to his daughter’s death. The spokesperson explained that the preliminary hearing was necessary before the referral of charges for trial by General Court-Martial pursuant to Article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

As Sgt. Ceville awaits further proceedings, he remains out on his own recognizance. He has denied harming his child, stating to WRAL that he was aware of the investigation but maintained his innocence.

This heartbreaking case continues to unfold, with Misty’s family and the public closely watching for justice to be served.

Credit: Independent.co.uk