Published: 15:49 BST, 18 August 2026 | Updated: 15:49 BST, 18 August 2026
A Utah father accused of causing the death of his baby by leaving her alone in a basement vaped while explaining to police how she died, prosecutors said.
Neal English Colby, 42, was arrested on Thursday on charges of child abuse homicide and child endangerment resulting in death in connection with the death of his seven-month-old daughter, Celia Aurora Colby.
Celia was found unresponsive with 'red fluid' coming out of her on January 17, 2025, according to a criminal complaint obtained by KSL.
Celia was found on top of a mattress in a basement that officers from the Murray Police Department said was 'very dirty with a lot of garbage and property around the room,' according to charging documents.
The baby's mother, Courtney Dawn Laird, is separated from Colby but lives in the same home with him.
She asked Colby to watch Celia as she was suffering from the flu and was concerned the baby was also exhibiting symptoms, according to charging documents.
Laird gave Celia children's Tylenol in the morning and had an appointment to visit the pediatrician, the filings continued. The mother brought the baby downstairs to Colby around 2.30am, telling him she needed to sleep.
'She awoke this morning to Colby yelling for her. (She) stated she went downstairs and found (Celia) lying face up on Colby's bed … and that (Celia) had red fluid coming out of her,' according to charging documents cited by the outlet.
Seven-month-old Celia Aurora Colby died on January 17, 2025, after she was allegedly left alone in a basement while under her father's supervision
Neal English Colby, 42, was arrested on Thursday on charges of child abuse homicide and child endangerment resulting in death in connection with the death of his daughter
As per the filing, Laird said she immediately began performing CPR and had to call 911 at the same time because 'Colby would not call.'
She died on the way to the hospital and officials have not determined a cause of death. Laird has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Colby described the order of events differently to investigators, according to Law & Crime.
The father said he checked on Celia hourly until about 8.30am before he fell asleep.
