SPOKANE, WA. — Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detectives arrested 27-year-old Skye M. Metcalf, charging her with Murder 2nd Degree for the death of her 6-month-old baby.
On June 11, 2018 at approximately 1:15 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to MultiCare Valley Hospital’s emergency room for the report of an unresponsive infant who was brought in with severe head injuries by her parents, Metcalf and 24-year-old Anthony R. Stedeford. A short time later, the infant was pronounced deceased by the attending doctor.
The initial information provided to the responding Deputy was Metcalf tripped with the baby in her arms. As she fell, the baby flew from her arms, hit a baby walker and fell to the floor. Metcalf stated Stedeford was not home at the time of the accident.
Medical staff stated the observed injuries did not appear to be consistent with the reported account of the incident.
Spokane Valley Major Crimes Detectives responded to the hospital to continue the investigation.
Stedeford was found to be in violation of a Domestic Violence (DV) No Contact Order and was arrested Monday afternoon in accordance with the order.
During an autopsy on Tuesday, the Medical Examiner’s Office observed the infant suffered multiple impacts to her face and scalp which were not consistent with accidental injuries. The cause of death was determined to be “complex skull fractures from blunt impacts to the head”, ruling the manner of death as homicide.
Major Crimes Detective Scott Bonney located and arrested Metcalf and brought her to the Public Safety Building to be re-interviewed. After being advised of her rights, Metcalf continued with her fabricated story regarding the injury and subsequent death of her baby. She eventually said she was frustrated with Stedeford due to a recent argument. She admitted she intentionally and forcefully pushed the infant face-first into her basinet causing the injuries to the baby’s face. She also punched the infant twice, with a closed fist in the back of her head in the area consistent with the observed skull fractures. A short time later, her baby stopped crying, became lethargic and then unresponsive. Metcalf stated Stedeford was not present during the assault and she called him after, telling him she accidently dropped their baby.
Stedeford was also re-interviewed at the Public Safety Building and eventually released without charges.
Metcalf was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Murder 2nd Degree (DV) with Aggravating Circumstances with a bond currently set at $1 million.
