Harbeson Couple Arrested in Death of Infant

Harbeson – Delaware State Police Homicide detectives have arrested the mother and father of an infant that died as a result of injuries it sustained while in their care.

The investigation into the incident began on May 23, 2015 after a 9-1-1 call was made from the residence in the 18000 block of Harbeson Road reporting that his 3 month old son was suffering from a seizure and was barely responsive. Paramedics and Emergency Medical Services responded to the house and transported the infant to Beebe Healthcare in Lewes before he was flown to A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital where he was admitted in critical condition due to multiple broken bones and a serious head injury. After remaining on life support measures for five months, Aiden R. Hundley, now 8 months old, died on September 22, 2015. An autopsy conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science ruled the death a homicide due to blunt force trauma to the head.

Further investigation revealed Aiden suffered numerous injuries that occurred over the two months he was in the care of his parents. The parents could offer no plausible explanation for these injuries and they were the sole caregivers for Aiden. The injuries were so severe that they would have been obvious to any caretaker.

On Thursday December 10, 2015, after reviewing the case with the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of Doyle J. Hundley Jr.,37, and Casey R. Layton, 28. They were taken into custody at their Harbeson home and transported back to Troop 4 in Georgetown where they were both charged with Murder by Abuse 1st, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child Knowingly Act in a Manner Likely to Injure thus Causing Death (Felony). They were both arraigned at JP2 and placed in the custody of the Delaware Department of Corrections on $106,000.00 cash only for both.

Another two and a half year old son of the couple has been placed in the care of the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families and does not appear to have been harmed.