A former Milwaukee police officer, Martinese McDaniel, has been sentenced to six years in prison for the abuse of his infant daughter. McDaniel, 32, was convicted of two felony counts of child abuse after his actions on January 14, 2023, led to his baby daughter suffering severe injuries, including brain trauma.
The Events Leading to the Abuse
According to the criminal complaint, McDaniel was alone with his twin daughters when one of them became fussy after being fed. He attempted a technique to alleviate gas by cycling her legs, but when she became unresponsive and stopped breathing, McDaniel panicked.
He performed CPR and attempted to clear what he thought was a blockage but failed to revive her. His panic escalated as he shook the baby multiple times in an attempt to revive her.
Medical Emergency and Investigations
The child was later revived by McDaniel’s girlfriend, who arrived home to find him performing CPR on their daughter. Emergency responders transported the infant to Children’s Wisconsin Hospital, where medical professionals discovered bruises on the baby’s body and noted significant swelling in her head.
A child abuse pediatrician diagnosed the child with abusive head trauma, confirming that the injuries were a result of physical abuse.
Missing Evidence and Conviction
During the investigation, detectives found security footage from McDaniel’s home but noted a critical hour of footage was missing. Despite his claims of innocence, the evidence against McDaniel, including the child’s severe injuries and his erratic actions, led to his conviction.
Sentencing and Additional Requirements
McDaniel was sentenced to six years in prison and five years of extended supervision. In addition to his prison term, McDaniel was ordered to take anger management courses, parenting classes, and participate in any needed treatment.
As a result of his conviction, McDaniel was fired from the Milwaukee Police Department, where he had worked for seven years.
