In a case that echoes a grim history of domestic violence, an Ohio father accused of killing his 24-day-old daughter launched a GoFundMe campaign for the infant’s funeral just one day after police determined her death was suspicious. Christopher Evans, 35, stands charged with murder, felonious assault, and endangering children following the death of newborn Naomi Evans in Cincinnati. The tragedy is compounded by Evans’ prior conviction for a nearly identical incident involving his own son, raising haunting questions about the safety of the children in his care.
Background
The Cincinnati Fire Department responded to a 911 call from Evans’ home around 8:45 p.m. on Sept. 5, reporting an unresponsive infant. Crews transported 24-day-old Naomi Evans to Cincinnati Children's Hospital, where she died from her injuries the following day. According to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, preliminary findings revealed that Naomi suffered massive head trauma, including a skull fracture and brain bleeding. Police allege this trauma was caused by physical force inflicted by her father.
The GoFundMe campaign, titled simply for Naomi’s funeral, was started by a user identified as Chris Evans the day after the infant’s death. The launch of the fundraising effort occurred while Evans was already under scrutiny by local authorities for the suspicious circumstances surrounding his daughter's passing.
The Investigation
Investigators have linked this fatal incident to Evans’ criminal past. In 2015, Evans was convicted of felonious assault and endangering children for abusing his then-newborn son. Court documents from that case detail how Evans admitted to throwing his son onto a changing table, causing subdural bleeding, brain injury, retinal hemorrhages, and leg fractures. He told detectives he had been bouncing the baby too hard, describing the force as an '8 out of 10' on a scale, and cited frustration during diaper changes as a trigger.
Following the 2015 incident, Evans was sentenced to three years in prison but was released early in December 2018 to serve the remainder of his term on probation. The recurrence of similar allegations involving a newborn daughter has intensified the investigation, with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and Cincinnati Police Department coordinating efforts to establish the timeline of events leading to Naomi's death.
Key Takeaways
- Christopher Evans, 35, is charged with murder, felonious assault, and endangering children in connection with the death of 24-day-old Naomi Evans.
- The infant died after suffering massive head trauma, including a skull fracture and brain bleeding, allegedly caused by physical force from her father.
- Evans previously pleaded guilty to assaulting his newborn son in 2015, resulting in a three-year prison sentence and early release in 2018.
- A GoFundMe for the daughter's funeral was launched by Evans the day after the infant's death, drawing public scrutiny during the active investigation.
What's Next
Christopher Evans appeared in court on Friday following his arrest at the Hamilton County Justice Center. His next court date has not yet been scheduled as prosecutors finalize the charges and review the preliminary autopsy findings. The community continues to monitor the case closely, given the disturbing parallels between the deaths of the Evans children and the father's prior conviction for infant abuse.
The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office is expected to release final autopsy results in the coming weeks, which will provide more specific details on the cause and manner of Naomi’s death. Legal experts suggest the prior conviction could significantly impact sentencing if Evans is found guilty of the current charges.