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A Lansing father is facing murder charges in the death of his baby daughter. It's a crime police are calling senseless and heartless.

Three-month-old Janayjah Sanders died Friday night. Her father, 37-year-old John H. Sanders, was arraigned Monday afternoon in her death.

He's facing life in prison on murder and first degree child abuse charges.

"One homicide is one too many," Public Information Officer Robert Merritt, with Lansing Police said. " We always say that and believe in that strongly, but the senselessness of this... it's very sad, especially when you're dealing with an infant, a three-month-old."

Police aren't saying much about the circumstances of Janayjah's death to protect the case. She was severely hurt, but living when they arrived.

Doctors from Sparrow Hospital called authorities Friday afternoon; by Friday night, Janayjah was dead.

"Sparrow called police in this case because obviously it was an abusive injury, it was an assault, but Sparrow also called Child Protective Services," Child Abuse Expert, Dr. Stephen Guertin, with Sparrow said.

Guertin could be called to testify in the case against Sanders. He couldn't talk specifically about Janayjah's death, but said, in general, doctors get police involved when they see characteristic injuries.

"Characteristic injuries involve their scalp, involve their eyes, their cheeks, their mouth, their neck," Guertin explained.

John Sanders was at the hospital when police arrived Friday afternoon, then arrested on probable cause.

The 37-year-old has served time for drug possession in Eaton County and for burglary in Oklahoma.

The baby's mother isn't facing charges right now, but police haven't said anything about her role in this.

Sanders is being held without bond. He will be back in court next week.

 

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A Lansing man has been charged in the homicide of baby girl.

John H. Sanders was arraigned on murder and child abuse charges Monday afternoon, in connection with the death of 3-month-old Janayjah Sanders.

She was taken to Sparrow Hospital Friday afternoon with serious internal injuries. She died later that night.

Sanders is a habitual offender. He was convicted of burglary in Oklahoma and drug possession in Eaton County. 

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LANSING - The suspicious death of a 3-month old Lansing child has now been classified a homicide investigation by police.

Lansing police say they have a person on interest in custody, as they investigate the death of Janayjah Sanders. Police say they are working with the prosecutor's office in determining possible charges.

Police had no further details about the person of interest or how that person was connected to the infant.

Police say they were called to a local hospital Friday afternoon on a report that a three-month old girl had severe internal injuries. The child died later that night.