Father kills three-week-old baby girl after firing a CROSSBOW at his wife while she was holding the child
- Patrick D. Proefriedt, who had a history of domestic abuse, allegedly shot his wife and child with a broadhead crossbow on Monday
- Police said the ‘repugnant human being’ removed the bolt from his baby’s torso, attempted to stop his injured wife from calling 911 and fled the scene
<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
A New York father has been charged with murder after allegedly firing a crossbow at his wife while she was holding their 3-week-old daughter, injuring the mother and killing the baby.
Patrick D. Proefriedt, 26, – who had a history of domestic abuse incidents including a Stay Away order in place – fired the weapon at his wife, Megan Carey, on Monday at their home in Colesville.
The broadhead crossbow bolt hit the child, Eleanor M. Carey, in the upper torso, exiting near the armpit before striking her mother in the chest, Broome County police revealed in a statement.
Proefriedt, described by police as ‘a repugnant human being’, allegedly removed the bolt and attempted to stop Carey from calling 911.
Emergency responders, arriving at the house on State Route 41 near Cass Road around 5:15 am on Monday, attempted lifesaving measures on the baby but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Proefriedt and his daughter Eleanor, who he described on Facebook as ‘my little baby girl’ on June 9, before allegedly murdering her with a crossbow less than three weeks later
Broome County Sherriff’s Office confirmed on Tuesday they are holding Proefriedt on murder charges without bail 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 truck.
Read Related Also: Wave of looting ravages Russian border region amid intense shelling by anti-Kremlin forces
He was quickly found by multiple patrol units using aerial drones in the woods less than a mile from the residence after his vehicle had become stuck in the mud.
He has been taken into custody and charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree, Attempted Murder in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Contempt in the 1st Degree.
The criminal contempt charge relates to the violation of an order of protection.
The incident occurred less than three weeks after Proefriedt posted a picture of himself and baby Eleanor on Facebook, who he described as ‘my little baby girl’.
‘This is one of the most heartbreaking and senseless crimes committed in this community in recent memory,’ said Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar in a statement.
‘Our thoughts are with the family of this innocent 3-week-old girl, Eleanor Carey. I commend the quick and decisive action of our Law Enforcement division in responding to this tragedy and ensuring Mr. Proefriedt did not escape justice.
‘It’s just a tragic case. It’s a senseless case. Reminder to all of us standing here today that domestic violence is incredibly real,’ Akshar told reporters at a press conference.
Emergency responders arrived at the house on State Route 41 near Cass Road in the town of Colesville in upstate New York around 5:15 am on Monday
Proefriedt, described by police as ‘a repugnant human being’, allegedly removed the broadhead bolt and attempted to stop Carey from calling 911 (pictured June 16, Facebook)
The alleged murderer, 26, had a history of domestic abuse incidents including a Stay Away order in place
The Broome County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation is currently ongoing and that Proefriedt remains in custody without bail while he awaits arraignment.
