Fairfax County Police Officer Charged In Six-Month-Old’s Death

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (WMAL/AP) – A Fairfax County Police Officer was arrested in the death of a six-month-old baby after surrendering himself to police on Tuesday at Frederick County Law Enforcement Center, according to Fairfax County Police.

38-year-old Jason Colley of Monrovia, Md. was indicted last week on charges of child abuse resulting in death by the Frederick County Grand Jury, Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said.

Colley turned himself in subsequently after his indictment signed on Monday by a Maryland judge.

The baby, Harper Grace Colley, died on Oct. 31 and was Colley’s daughter. Smith said that the baby died as a result of abusive head trauma. Maryland State Police notified Fairfax County Police in April that Colley was a suspect and he was placed on administrative leave at that time.

He is charged with child abuse in the first degree resulting in death, child abuse in the first degree resulting in severe physical injury and felony assault in the first degree, a Fairfax County Police Department media release stated.

Chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. stated, “The charges Colley faces are abhorrent. This afternoon I served Colley notice of separation from employment in accordance with Fairfax County Personnel Regulations and the Code of Virginia.”