Brooklyn man charged with killing daughter the day before her 2nd birthday

December 12, 2022 Rob Abruzzese

The Kings County Supreme Court at 360 Adams St. Photo: Rob Abruzzese/Brooklyn Eagle

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A 33-year-old man from Brownsville was charged with manslaughter for killing his 23-month old daughter by allegedly hitting her with his fist in the back of the head, prosecutors claimed.

Robert Wright appeared in front of Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo on Friday when he was charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a child.

Justice Leo set bail at $100,000 and Wright is expected to return on Jan. 27, 2023.

“A precious and innocent child was fatally injured, allegedly at the hands of the person responsible for nurturing and protecting her,” District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. “My heart is with the little girl’s family, and we will now seek to hold this defendant accountable.”

Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Donald Leo. Eagle file photo by Rob Abruzzese

According to prosecutors, on Oct. 4, 2022 at approximately 10:30 A.M., Wright hit his daughter in the back of the head with a closed fist. Wright allegedly told investigators that he was taking a nap with his daughter and hit her as he was waking up from a dream.

It wasn’t until the child’s mother came home and discovered the daughter acting lethargic and noticed that she was bleeding from her mouth. The 23-month-old girl was then taken to Brookdale Hospital where a brain scan revealed bleeding and swelling. She went into cardiac arrest before being transferred to Cohen Children’s Medical Center where she died the next day.

The cause of death was a traumatic brain injury caused by a blunt force impact to the head, according to the New York City Medical Examiner.