Testimony continued on April 16 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry G. Williams in the trial of 29-year-old Anthony Ford, who stands accused of murdering his infant daughter at their home more than eight years ago.
Charging documents state that on Oct. 8, 2018, emergency responders were called to the residence on the 1000 block of Mosher Street after five-month-old Brailynn Ford was reported unresponsive and not breathing. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where medical staff found she had injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome, including hemorrhaging around her eyes and swelling in her brain.
Brailynn’s grandmother testified that the infant appeared healthy and active in the months before the incident. She told jurors that the child was “smart,” developing well and showed no signs of serious injury while living in the home with multiple family members.
A family friend testified that the morning of the incident, she drove Anthony, another passenger and Brailynn to the University of Maryland to handle an undisclosed matter between the defendant and Brailynn’s mother, who was employed there at the time. When they were unable to reach Brailynn’s mother, they left. According to counsel, Brailynn’s mother passed away last September from an asthma attack.
Afterward, the group returned to Anthony’s home. On the stand, the friend testified that Anthony only stayed inside the residence briefly, and that he exited carrying Brailynn shortly after. She said Anthony appeared frantic, and that they notified emergency services after noticing Brailynn’s condition.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Marci Johnson emphasized that the Fords’ friend had seen Anthony interact with Brailynn on many occasions, and that “he was caring and loving toward his child.”
The state’s attorney also showed jurors footage from an interview Brailynn’s mother conducted with investigators, in which she described her daughter as “a happy, active baby with no medical issues.”
During the interview, she told officers that Brailynn appeared normal on the morning of the incident. It was only later in the day that she was notified Brailynn had been taken to the emergency room. After arriving at the hospital, she observed her daughter unconscious with visible scratches and bruises.
The trial is set to continue with witness testimony on April 17.
