Marine at Tustin Held in Death of Infant Daughter

A Marine sergeant stationed at the Tustin Marine Corps helicopter base has been arrested on suspicion of fatally wounding his 10-month-old daughter, authorities said Friday.

Sgt. Michael Joseph Miele, 27, was being held by military authorities at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, where he was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon.

The infant, Amelia Lynn Miele, died of blunt-force trauma to the head, an autopsy found.

Tustin Police Lt. H. D. Williams, whose department is investigating the death with Marine authorities, said Miele told authorities he became angry because his daughter was crying and struck her over the head with the butt of a pool cue.

Miele’s wife was horseback riding at the time, Williams said. He said the couple’s 4-year-old son was in the family’s home on the base but apparently did not witness the incident.

According to police, Miele phoned the Tustin base military police Sunday afternoon and reported that when he went to check on Amelia, he found her unconscious in her crib. Medics called to the home found the baby dead, Williams said.

Miele, an aircraft refrigeration mechanic, later told authorities he had lost his temper and struck her with the broken pool cue, Williams said. He said investigators found no evidence that the baby had previously been abused.

Jurisdiction of the case between military and civil authorities is under review, to determine which will try Miele for homicide, Williams said.