Martinese McDaniel, 32, a former Milwaukee police officer, has been sentenced to six years in prison and five years of extended supervision after being found guilty of two felony counts of child abuse – recklessly causing great harm. The charges stemmed from a harrowing incident involving his infant daughter in January 2023.
Incident Details
On January 14, 2023, McDaniel was alone with his twin daughters when he attempted to relieve one of the babies’ gas using a technique known as the “bicycle” maneuver. After placing the baby back in the crib, she became fussy again, and McDaniel repeated the technique. However, the baby stopped breathing, prompting McDaniel to perform CPR. When his attempts failed, he began to panic and shook the baby three to four times, continuing to try to revive her.
When McDaniel’s girlfriend returned home, she called 911 after hearing McDaniel yell, “Call 911, she’s not breathing!” Despite his efforts, the baby showed no immediate response, and emergency responders were called. The baby was transported to Children’s Wisconsin Hospital, where medical professionals discovered severe injuries.
Injuries and Medical Findings
Upon examination, the baby was found to have significant head trauma, including bruises to her chest, abdomen, and left leg. Her head circumference had drastically increased from a prior visit, and she was diagnosed with a brain injury, among other injuries. A child abuse pediatrician concluded that the child was a victim of physical abuse and abusive head trauma, with a potential for long-term complications like seizure disorders, spasticity, and developmental delays.
Missing Security Footage and Investigation
As detectives investigated, they discovered that McDaniel had security cameras outside his home but found that one hour of footage, between 7 and 8 a.m. on the day of the incident, was missing. This raised further suspicions about the events that led to the baby’s injuries.
Sentencing and Orders
In addition to his prison sentence, McDaniel was ordered to complete anger management classes, parenting classes, and any necessary treatment or counseling. McDaniel worked for the Milwaukee Police Department for seven years before being placed on paid suspension at the time of his charges. Following his conviction, McDaniel was fired from the department.
Impact on Family
The tragic incident has left the family reeling, and the baby’s long-term prognosis remains uncertain due to the severity of the brain injury. The case has also highlighted the importance of accountability and the devastating consequences of abuse.
