AUBREANNA LYRIC KOVALCIK - newborn (6/2014)/ Suspect: Father; Denver Blough - Windber PA

Baby’s Death Ruled Homicide

Danielle Krout
06/20/2014 06:03 PM
06/22/2014 04:21 PM

WINDBER, SOMERSET COUNTY - An infant’s death was ruled a homicide Friday by the Cambria County Coroner’s office.

"The preliminary findings are the baby died from lack of oxygenated blood going to the brain," said Jeff Lees, Chief Deputy Coroner, Cambria County. “The manor of death has been ruled a homicide.”

Abrianna Lyric Kovalcik died early Friday morning at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Her body was brought back to Cambria County where Lees conducted an autopsy.

“Abrianna Lyric Kovalcik died at 1:13 this morning,” said Lisa Lazzari-Strasiser, Somerset County District Attorney.

The baby’s mother Caressa Kovalcik was shot and killed back on May 31, 2013. State Police arrested and charged the victim’s boyfriend and father of the baby Denver Blough with homicide.

The shooting happened at the couple’s Windber apartment. The 23-year old was 9 months pregnant. Doctors performed an emergency C-section to save the baby, she was flown to Pittsburgh, and she was put on life support.

Blough has not been charged in the baby’s death as of Friday afternoon he is charged with the death of his girlfriend.

The 25-year old is in the Somerset County Prison, his hearing is set for July.

“The investigation is still on going,” said Lazzari-Strasiser.

The family released the following statement through their attorney, “It was with immense sadness that Bob and Anne Kovalcik informed us of the passing of their granddaughter, Abrianna Lyric Kovalcik. They would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, while also requesting that their privacy and that of their family be respected during this incredibly difficult time.”

http://www.wearecentralpa.com/story/d/story/babys-death-rule-homicide/31759/Pn3Cb4_WLUyHRgRck2Sw1w

Child dies in hospital after shooting that killed her pregnant mother
Caressa Kovalcik was found shot in Windber apartment; Baby Aubreanna later dies at Pittsburgh hospital

UPDATED 7:48 PM EDT Jun 20, 2014

PITTSBURGH —A baby girl died early Friday at a Pittsburgh hospital where she was taken after being born in an emergency delivery following the fatal shooting of her pregnant mother.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Aubreanna Kovalcik was pronounced dead at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh at 1:13 a.m.

State police in Somerset said officers were called to a Windber apartment on the evening of May 31 and found that the expecting mother, 23-year-old Caressa Kovalcik, had been shot.

Authorities said Kovalcik was taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, where her daughter was delivered by cesarean section and taken to Pittsburgh for further care. The woman was later pronounced dead.

"I'm just sad to think she never got to hold her daughter," said the victim's brother, Billy Bob Kovalcik. "She was a great mother. She was all about her kids. Everything. She didn't think about herself. When I was there, she didn't care if there wasn't enough money to eat, as long as the baby had diapers and formula, she was happy."

Police said 25-year-old Denver Blough, who lived in the apartment with Kovalcik and their 11-month-old son, was charged with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated and simple assault and reckless endangering.

It's unclear if any additional charges will be filed in relation to the death of Kovalcik's baby.

State police said Blough called 911 after the shooting and told responding troopers, "How could this happen to me?" Blough reportedly told police he and Kovalcik were arguing when she took his shotgun and broke it into two pieces. Blough said he went to show her the barrel assembly and the gun discharged, hitting Kovalcik in the face.

Blough is being held in the Somerset County Jail without bond. An online court docket shows that he has a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 31.

http://www.wtae.com/news/woman-killed-in-somerset-county-shooting-police-say/26276300#ixzz35lkmMlTh