New Bedford man charged in infant's death pleads not guilty

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) – A 23-year-old New Bedford man charged with murder in connection with the death of a 9-month-old pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.

Ethen Harrison was arraigned in New Bedford District Court on an upgraded charge of murder. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail.

Harrison was already facing assault charges in the death of Ariel Eluziario, of New Bedford.

Prosecutor Stephen Nadeau said Ariel died from "blunt force trauma to the head," on Jan. 24, when Harrison was alone with her.

Ariel was flown to Hasbro Children's Hospital in Providence , R.I., for surgery. She was pronounced dead shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday night.

Harrison reportedly lived at the Adams Street apartment with the deceased infant's mother. He is not the child's biological father, but is the mother's boyfriend. He reportedly admitted to certain arts that were consistent with the infant's injuries.

Court documents say Harrison told police he was angry when Ariel became "fussy" and caused her to hit her head twice on the floor. She had a large blood clot on her brain.

The Standard Times reports the baby's mother, 22-year-old Amanda Eluziario wept in court Tuesday as she sat with the baby's biological father.

Cox Media Group