Man apologized to killing 3-month-old daughter he ‘held her feet while inflicting blunt trauma to her head’

Man apologized to killing 3-month-old daughter he ‘held her feet while inflicting blunt trauma to her head’

What kind of monster do you have to be to beat a beautiful three-month-old baby to death? Steven Dykes is apparently just that monster, having been arrested for the murder of his own daughter, Olivia.

olivia dykes

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said Steven Dykes, 44, was uncooperative as he was booked into jail Saturday.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Dykes tended to his daughter Olivia when she awoke multiple times late Wednesday and early Thursday.

As her mother left the house around 6 a.m. Thursday, authorities said Dykes emerged with the unresponsive baby, screaming that she was dead.

Detectives said the baby suffered obvious trauma to her head, face and feet. An autopsy determined she had multiple skull fractures.

The Sheriff’s Office said Dykes caused the injuries by holding Olivia’s feet while inflicting blunt trauma to her head.

The victim’s mother, Melissa Schroll, said she never thought Dykes would hurt their child.

“Just love your kids, just hug your kids and hold them tight. You just got to protect them. You’re supposed to advocate for them, and now I’m fighting for her. I’m advocating. I didn’t want to have to do it this way, but I’m going to make sure my baby girl gets justice,” Schroll said.

One wonders if she was advocating and fighting for her daughter while she was alive, considering the baby had cuts and bruises all over her body. The thought of that baby’s last moments is enough to make a person feel sick, and if there’s any justice in the world, Dykes will meet a similarly horrific end.

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