By Chris Cannon
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Nashville man has been arrested and charged with killing his girlfriend's 17-month old daughter.
Police said that 22-year old Jacob Scott Hughes was arrested when he appeared in court Thursday on a domestic assault warrant that stemmed from a charge of hitting his girlfriend in June.
Hughes is now accused of causing severe injuries that led to the death of 17-month old Eloise Costanza.
According to police, Hughes was watching Costanza on Sunday, July 8, while the child's mother, Hughes' girlfriend, was at work. Hughes was said to have contacted the mother via Facebook, informing her that her child was having trouble breathing.
"As the mother headed home she contacted 911. The paramedics arrived and saw bruising and other injuries to the child that they did not believe to be accidental," said Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron.
Doctors at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital said Costanza suffered severe injuries including a skull fracture, a subdural hematoma, and bruising on her body. Hughes told police the girl had fallen.
"We think something else happened. What happened specifically we don't know, but the story of a fall just doesn't wash," Aaron said.
Hughes was charged with murder and aggravated child abuse. His domestic violence case was continued. Thursday night Hughes was still in the Davidson County Jail.
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