Burbank infant dies of injuries, parents charged

A five-week-old Burbank infant who was treated for multiple broken bones and brain swelling last month has died and now both her parents have been charged with allegedly playing a role in her death.

After the infant was admitted to a local hospital Oct. 23 with broken bones and other injuries -- which investigators say were the result of ongoing child abuse -- she was taken off life support Nov. 9, just two weeks after her 19-year-old father, Matthew Wojcik, pleaded not guilty to two counts of felony child abuse, police said Wednesday.

The charges against him have since been amended to murder and felony child abuse causing death.

“[The baby] was shaken very hard, which caused internal injuries,” said Burbank Police Lt. Eddie Ruiz.

Upon further investigation, police also suspect the infant’s 21-year-old mother –Elizabeth Carter – was involved in the abuse.

She was arrested Wednesday morning on suspicion of child abuse, police said.

Carter is due in court next week after posting $130,000 bail.

[For the Record: An earlier version of this post incorrectly listed Carter’s bail amount as $1.3 million.]

-- Alene Tchekmedyian, Times Community News

Follow Alene Tchekmedyian on Google+ and on Twitter: @atchek.