New details released in Gulfport infant’s death. Teen mom’s story made no sense, cops say
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New details have emerged about the injuries an infant suffered, allegedly at the hands of his 17-year-old mother who is accused of killing the baby.
Yakira Yaffa Nicole Caffrey of Gulfport is charged with second-degree murder in the recent death of her 3-month-old son. She was unable to appear Wednesday at a preliminary hearing in Justice Court to determine if there is enough evidence to send her case to a grand jury. Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney Herman Cox said a new hearing date will be set.
The investigation shows the baby had a fractured skull, brain bleed, severe retinal hemorrhaging and a fractured left femur.
The baby was taken by ambulance to Memorial Hospital at Gulfport after Caffrey called police on the night on Sept. 13. She was unable to offer a reasonable explanation of how the child was injured, police said.
Witnesses said the baby was fine when left with Caffrey that day.
The baby died Sept. 16 after being transferred to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans. Doctors there determined the infant had been abused. The baby’s death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy performed the next day by the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office.
Caffrey was born and raised in Gulfport, where has said she attended school through seventh grade.