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A 28-year-old Virginia man has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of aggravated murder and felony child abuse following the death of his 3-month-old daughter, the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office announced on Monday, July 20.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the 3400 block of Lake Street in Bailey’s Crossroads on March 27, 2026, after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant. Officers initiated CPR at the scene until fire and rescue personnel arrived to take over life-saving efforts. The infant was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Following the incident, the Fairfax County Police Department stated in a March 31 news release that “detectives and hospital staff observed evidence consistent with abuse.”
A preliminary autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma. Authorities noted that the child was under the care of her father, Misael Lopez Gomez, at the time.
During a preliminary hearing in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court earlier this month, a Fairfax County police detective testified that Lopez Gomez “admitted to law enforcement officers that he had repeatedly struck his daughter.”
Lopez Gomez was initially charged with second-degree murder. However, prosecutors sought an indictment on the charge of aggravated murder based on the findings of the investigation.
“Cases like this are so rare and egregious that the law recognizes the need for a higher penalty,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said. “My office prioritizes the prosecution of serious, violent crimes, and will use the tools that the law provides to do so.”
Following his arrest in April, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security identified Lopez Gomez as an illegal immigrant from Guatemala and lodged an immigration detainer to maintain his custody.
A court hearing to schedule the trial date is set for July 23.
READ: Polk County Deputies Search For Group Involved In Davenport 7-Eleven Theft, Battery
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Virginia Dad Indicted For Blunt Force Murder Of 3-Month-Old Daughter
