An Ohio father accused of killing his 24-day-old daughter had launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her funeral just one day after she died, according to police and local reports. Christopher Evans, 35, was arrested and charged with murder, felonious assault, and endangering children in connection with the death of newborn Naomi Evans in Cincinnati. The tragedy is compounded by Evans’ criminal history: he was previously convicted of abusing his newborn son in a similar incident involving head trauma and alleged excessive force.
Background
The Cincinnati Fire Department responded to a 911 call from Evans’ home on Sept. 5, reporting an unresponsive child. Naomi Evans was transported to Cincinnati Children's Hospital at approximately 8:45 p.m. but succumbed to her injuries the following day. A GoFundMe page, started by an individual identified as Chris Evans to cover funeral expenses, went live on Sept. 6, the day after the infant’s death was confirmed. The community response to the fundraising effort has since been overshadowed by the grim details of the investigation.
Prior to this case, Evans was convicted in January 2017 for felonious assault and endangering children related to a 2015 incident involving his son, who was also a newborn at the time. Court documents obtained by WXIX revealed that Evans admitted to throwing his son down on a changing table, resulting in subdural bleeding, brain injury, retinal hemorrhages, and leg fractures. Evans told detectives he had been 'bouncing the baby too hard' with a force he rated as '8 out of 10' and expressed frustration while changing the child’s diaper. He was sentenced to three years in prison, credited for 83 days served, and released early in December 2018 to serve the remainder on probation.
The Investigation
The Hamilton County Coroner's Office released preliminary findings on Tuesday, determining that Naomi’s death was suspicious. According to the criminal complaint, the infant suffered 'massive head trauma resulting in a skull fracture and bleeding to the brain,' which investigators allege was caused by 'physical force' inflicted by her father. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office arrested Evans on Thursday, placing him behind bars at the Hamilton County Justice Center pending his initial court appearance. The parallel between the injuries sustained by Naomi and her brother in 2015 has raised significant questions regarding prior knowledge of Evans' behavior and the circumstances surrounding his release from probation.
Key Takeaways
- Christopher Evans was charged with murder, felonious assault, and endangering children in the death of 24-day-old Naomi Evans.
- A GoFundMe for Naomi’s funeral was started by Evans the day after her death.
- Evans was previously convicted in 2017 for abusing his newborn son in 2015, citing 'bouncing' and frustration.
- The current victim suffered massive head trauma, skull fractures, and brain bleeding.
- Evans was released from prison early in 2018 and was on probation prior to this arrest.
What's Next
Evans appeared in court on Friday for his initial hearing. His next court date has not yet been scheduled as the prosecution prepares to present evidence linking the current allegations to his prior conviction. The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office is expected to seek a trial date following the preliminary hearing, where the severity of the charges and Evans' criminal history will likely play a central role in the proceedings.
Editorial Analysis
The juxtaposition of a grieving father raising funds for his child's funeral while facing murder charges highlights the complex and often disturbing nature of domestic violence cases involving infants. Evans' history of similar allegations underscores the critical need for rigorous oversight in cases involving child endangerment and the devastating human cost when warning signs are missed.