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Man arrested after baby he allegedly shook in 2012 dies

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LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Willie Hooker, 39, was recently arrested for murder after a child a child was taken off life support and died.

Police believe he shook his girlfriend's 7-week-old baby in 2012. Police say they were contacted by UMC Pediatric Unit on Oct. 30 and told that the child was suffering from a brain bleed. The doctor told police that she believed the likely cause of the injury was non-accidental.

Police talked to the mother who said the baby was fine and asleep in bassinet when she left for work. She received a call several hours later from Hooker who told her something was wrong with the baby and the baby had been taken to the hospital.

Hooker told police that the baby woke up after the mother left and began to cry. He says when he picked up the baby, she began to scream. He then told a roommate that something was wrong with the baby. When the baby began vomiting blood, he contacted a neighbor who told him to call 9-1-1.

The roommate told police she was in her bedroom when she heard Hooker cursing. He then reportedly said "I didn't do anything to her."

Hooker was arrested and charged with child abuse with substantial bodily harm. The child, who was declared brain dead in 2013, died in July of 2018. Hooker has now been charged with first degree murder.