New Jersey Officer, wife charged in brutal death of 3-month-old daughter

Trenton, NJ-A New Jersey Police Officer and his wife have been charged in connection to the death of their baby girl.

Daniel Bannister was suspended last December after and investigation began into the death of his 3-month-old-daughter.

He was arrested Wednesday morning.

Last December, police received a 911 call. Hailey was unresponsive and having trouble breathing. She died six days later in the hospital.

An autopsy revealed the baby girl had a fractured skull, brain bleed and multiple fractured ribs. It was also determined the nature of Hailey’s injuries indicated an ongoing pattern of abuse.

Neighbors who never interacted with the suspended police officer are shocked, but others describe a history of disturbances.

“I see him pull up with his truck all the time. He’s always yelling. I always hear him yelling, I always see him yelling a lot of nonsense around the neighborhood for no reason,” Jonathan Prieto said.

The officer’s wife, 29-year-old Catherine Bannister, was also charged and arrested for endangering the welfare of a child. Neighbors are hoping for swift justice for a life that was taken too soon.

“It’s unbelievable. Like who knew what was happening just four doors down from me,” Prieto said.

Bannister joined the Ewing Township Police Department back in May 2017.