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The parents of a newborn baby in Pennsylvania have been arrested in connection with the child’s tragic death after authorities say they didn’t set up a bassinet or crib, instead letting the child sleep in their bed where he died. Ashley Susana Usadel, 31, and Travis Scott Smart, 34, were arrested Thursday morning and charged with one count each of child endangerment in the tragic death of young Zane Scott Usadel-Smart.
Usadel is also facing an additional charge of involuntary manslaughter.
According to court documents obtained by NorthCentralPA, officers with the Sunbury Police Department responded at about 2:30 a.m. on April 10 to a home on North Sixth Street in regard to a call about an unresponsive infant. Upon arriving at the address, first responders said they saw the father performing CPR on the child, who was face-up on a bed in the living room of the home, and took over performing lifesaving procedures.
Emergency medical personnel arrived a short while later but were not able to provide any assistance. Zane was pronounced dead at the scene and authorities contacted the Northumberland County Coroner’s Office as well as the county office of Children and Youth Services.
Both parents were reportedly transported to the police station, where they underwent interviews with detectives.
According to a report from PennLive, Usadel said that she laid down in bed at about 9:30 p.m. the previous evening with the baby. She was allegedly holding Zane in her right arm and breastfeeding him while using her left hand to hold her phone and scroll through her TikTok feed.
At some point, she said she fell asleep and believed Zane rolled out of her arms and onto the bed. She said she awoke to find him unresponsive next to her on the bed.
Authorities on the scene reportedly said they observed a “large discoloration” on Zane’s forehead.
As the questioning continued, Usadel reportedly said that she normally puts Zane down in a “Pack ‘n Play,” but claimed it had not been set up on that evening.
Smart reportedly said he fell asleep in the same bed as Usadel and the baby at about 11 p.m., noting that Usadel typically performed the bedtime routine with Zane.
When investigators asked about the baby not having a crib or bassinet, Smart allegedly responded, “They haven’t got around to it.” He allegedly added that Usadel tends to fall asleep with Zane in her arms.
Three other children were at the residence and authorities reportedly placed them in the care of Children and Youth Services.
A search warrant was reportedly executed on the home that included items such as pillows, blankets, and clothing that could reveal additional evidence about Zane’s death.
Both parents were booked into the Northumberland County Jail. Usadel’s bond was set at $50,000 while Smart’s bond was set at $10,000.
