Father kills three-week-old baby girl
Father kills 3-week-old baby girl after firing a CROSSBOW at his wife as she held the child
- Patrick D. Proefriedt, who had a history of domestic violence, allegedly shot his wife and child with a broadside crossbow on Monday
- Police said the ‘disgusted human’ removed the bolt from his baby’s torso, tried to prevent his injured wife from calling 911 and fled
A New York father has been charged with murder after allegedly firing a crossbow at his wife as she held their 3-week-old daughter, injuring the mother and killing the baby.
Patrick D. Proefriedt, 26, — who had a history of domestic violence, including a Stay Away order — fired the gun at his wife, Megan Carey, at their Colesville home on Monday.
The broadhead crossbow bolt struck the child, Eleanor M. Carey, in the upper torso, exiting near the armpit and striking her mother in the chest, Broome County Police Department revealed in a statement.
Proefriedt, described by police as “a disgusting human being,” allegedly removed the bolt and tried to stop Carey from calling 911.
Emergency services who arrived at the home on State Route 41 near Cass Road around 5:15 a.m. Monday attempted life-saving measures for the baby, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Proefriedt and his daughter Eleanor, whom he described on Facebook as “my little baby girl” on June 9, before allegedly killing her with a crossbow less than three weeks later
Broome County Sherriff’s Office confirmed on Tuesday they are holding Proefriedt without bail on murder charges while he awaits arraignment
Carey, reportedly aged 31, was taken to Wilson Hospital where she was treated for her injuries.
Proefriedt allegedly fled the scene in a red 2016 Dodge Ram pickup.
He was quickly found by multiple patrol units using aerial drones in the woods less than a mile from the residence after his vehicle got stuck in the mud.
He has been taken into custody and charged with 2nd degree murder, 2nd degree attempted murder and 1st degree felonious contempt.
The contempt charge relates to violating a protection order.
The incident took place less than three weeks after Proefriedt posted a photo of himself and baby Eleanor on Facebook, which he described as “my little baby girl.”
“This is one of the most heartbreaking and senseless crimes committed in this community in recent memory,” Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said in a statement.
Our thoughts are with the family of this innocent three-week-old girl, Eleanor Carey. I commend the swift and decisive action of our Law Enforcement Department in responding to this tragedy and ensuring that Mr. Proefriedt did not escape justice.
“It’s just a tragic case. It’s a pointless case. Reminder to all of us standing here today that domestic violence is incredibly real,” Akshar told reporters at a news conference.
Emergency services arrived at the home on State Route 41 near Cass Road in the town of Colesville, New York, at around 5:15 a.m. Monday.
Proefriedt, described by police as “a disgusting human being,” reportedly removed the broadheaded arrow and tried to stop Carey from calling 911 (pictured June 16, Facebook)
The alleged killer, 26, had a history of domestic violence incidents, including a Stay Away order
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that Proefriedt remains in custody without bail pending his arraignment.