Parents charged in Isle of Wight infant's death
Twins suffered skull fractures, bruises and burns, investigators say

By Allison T. Williams, atwilliams@dailypress.com, Dailypress.com, February 14, 2012



Parents face charges
Mary Leann Webb and Robert Molinski, who had moved their family from Newport News to Stallings Creek Drive in Smithfield last month, have each been charged with one count of felony child neglect, according to a release from the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office.

ISLE OF WIGHT — The Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office has issued warrants for the parents of 4-month-old Piper Molinski, who died after being taken off life support Tuesday, with charges related to the infant's death.

Mary Leann Webb and Robert Molinski, who had moved their family from Newport News to Stallings Creek Drive in Smithfield last month, have each been charged with one count of felony child neglect, according to a release from the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office.

Piper's twin sister, Ella Molinski, remains in stable condition at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, said Marshall. Both children were hospitalized Sunday with skull fractures, fractured ribs and bruising; Piper also had burns on the soles of her feet, he said, in the release.

Both infants were airlifted to Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters Sunday after Piper was found unresponsive in her grandfather's home, Marshall said. Their 4-year-old sister, who was removed from the house, did not appear to have suffered any injuries, according to Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kristin Wilda. The toddler is undergoing a forensic interview this afternoon at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters.

The incident remains under investigation.

Piper Molinski had been on life support since Sunday. She and her twin sister had showed signs of abuse when they were removed from the home, Marshall said earlier.

The family had moved from Newport News to Smithfield to live with their maternal grandfather in Smithfield last month, according to a news release from the Isle of Wight Sheriff's Office.


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