Newborn 'Put In Freezer' By Dad For Crying

A father put his six-week-old daughter in a -12C freezer for about an hour to stop her crying, according to court papers. Doctors believe the baby will survive despite her core temperature falling to 28.8C in the freezer, prosecutors said. The National Institutes of Health says "a body temperature below 95F (35C) is a medical emergency and can lead to death if not treated promptly". She also had a broken arm and leg and a head injury.

Tyler James Deutsch, 25, pleaded not guilty to charges of child assault, criminal mistreatment and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence. According to court papers, Deutsch gave Pierce County sheriff's officers several accounts but finally said he put the child in the freezer on Saturday afternoon "because he was tired and she was crying”.

Deutsch said he fell asleep and only woke up as the baby's 22-year-old mother returned to their trailer in Roy, Washington.

He was seen removing the baby, who was wearing only a nappy, from the freezer by the mother as she came in, according to the prosecutor's account. Deutsch is accused of taking a phone away when she tried to call for help. The mother then took the child and got neighbours to call 911, authorities said.