Baby at center of Lowell assault case dies

LOWELL, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A 9-week-old infant has died as a result of injuries allegedly caused by his father.

The Middlesex District Attorney's Office announced the death of William Berry Friday. William was pronounced deceased at the Tufts Floating Hospital for Children.

The baby's father, 22-year-old Christopher Berry of Lowell, was arraigned Monday on a charge of assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury. He was ordered held on $500,000 bail and is due back in court on June 6 for a probable cause hearing.

An autopsy has been conducted by the Chief Medical Examiner. The district attorney's office says more charges could be filed against Berry when the cause and manner of death is determined. The cause of the child's death is not expected for several months.

Emergency crews responded to 215 Mammoth Road in Lowell on May 11 for a report of an unresponsive child. The child, identified as William Berry, was transported to Lowell General Hospital and later transferred to Tufts with injuries that investigators call "non-accidental trauma."

Investigators allege Berry shook the baby with such force that the child sustained extensive brain injuries.

According to the Lowell Sun, Berry is an Afghanistan war vet who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Berry has a long history of run-ins with police. Since 2011, he has been charged with violently throwing his girlfriend out of their apartment, breaking and entering and larceny.

The 22-year-old also allegedly lured pigeons to a parking lot then drove his car through the flock, killing six birds. The animal cruelty case is still pending.

Cox Media Group