A couple is facing a string of charges after their 2-month-old daughter was pronounced dead at Harbor Hospital early Wednesday morning. Officers responded to the hospital at roughly 1:08 a.m. on September 9 after receiving a report of an infant death, and upon arrival learned that the baby, identified as Aida Alvarado, had already been declared deceased by medical staff, according to Baltimore Police Department.
In a statement, Baltimore Police said preliminary findings indicated that the infant had suffered trauma to the body.
Homicide detectives then went to the family's home and interviewed the parents, according to Baltimore Police Department.
Police identified the child's parents as
21-year-old Katerin Monzon-Alvarado and 21-year-old Oscar Pineda. Detectives took both into custody, according to Baltimore Police Department.
Charges Filed Against Both Parents
Monzon-Alvarado was charged with first-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment, per the police statement. Pineda faces an identical set of charges — first-degree child abuse, second-degree child abuse, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to the scene and recovered the infant's remains for further examination.
Homicide detectives consulted with the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office as part of the investigation, and additional homicide charges remain pending the outcome of the autopsy report, per a report from Baltimore Police Department. Both Monzon-Alvarado and Pineda remain held at Central Booking, according to Jailfo.
Why the Autopsy Holds Up Formal Homicide Charges
Additional homicide charges remain pending the autopsy report.
The first-degree child-abuse charge is among those filed against both parents. Separately, first-degree assault is also among the charges filed against both parents.
Local and Statewide Context
The response unfolded at MedStar Harbor Hospital. The Baltimore Police Department's Southern District was involved in the response.
The broader implications of the case will depend on the autopsy and the continuing investigation.
How Child-Fatality Reviews Work
According to the Maryland State Child Fatality Review 2023 Report, local review teams receive notice from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner about unexpected deaths of resident children under 18 and are required to review each case. Baltimore City government said its Child Fatality Review found that 208 children died during the five-year period covered by its report and that 91 percent of those deaths were preventable. The cited city release provides that finding but does not detail specific prevention recommendations for this case.
No further updates on charges against Monzon-Alvarado or Pineda have been announced, and both remain in custody as the investigation continues.
