“The investigation is still in the early stages and it’s not complete,” Gmoser said. “We’re still awaiting an autopsy.”
According to police reports, officers responded Friday night to an apartment on Marlou Drive for a report of a baby not breathing. Medics transported one-year-old Bryce Pelfrey to Fort Hamilton Hospital, then transferred him to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital by medical helicopter. The baby died Sunday.
Police said Bryce had serious head injuries, and it appeared the boy had been “squeezed and repeatedly slapped.”
Bryce’s family members were struggling Monday to make sense of what happened.
“It’s tragic. My daughter, Bryce’s mother, is just beside herself. She’s completely devastated and heartbroken,” said Duane Pelfrey, the baby’s grandfather. “She still goes back to the hospital and stays there because his body is still there.”
Pelfrey, Bryce’s mother and father and other family members were in court for Tompkins’ arraignment Monday. Pelfrey, who stood up as soon as Tompkins walked into the courtroom, said it was hard to control his emotions.
“I wanted to grab him. That was my first response,” said Pelfrey, who had to be instructed by the bailiff to take his seat.
Pelfrey, a lieutenant with the Seven Mile Police Department in Butler County, said he’s dealt with cases like this before in his 25-year law enforcement career.
“It’s hitting so close to home,” he said. “You never think it’ll hit you or be a part of your life, but this is my grandson. My grand-baby was just devastated by what this guy has done. I hope he sees justice.”
Pelfrey, who spoke on behalf of his distraught family members, said that his daughter had just left for work around 9:50 p.m. Friday, when less than 40 minutes later, she got a call from Tompkins.
“At 10:28p.m., he contacted her and told her the baby had thrown up and stopped breathing. They called EMTs. We didn’t have a clue how serious it was,” Pelfrey said. “Once we got to Children’s (Hospital) it became a lot realer.”
Family members said they don’t understand why Tompkins would want to hurt a defenseless baby.
Bryce was “happy all the time, smiling, just a happy-go-lucky baby,” said his uncle Greg Pelfrey. “You would never hardly see him not laughing and playing. He was just a joy to be around. I can’t understand how anybody could do a thing like that. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Greg and Duane Pelfrey said they don’t know Tompkins well, but he seemed like a quiet guy.
“Met him one time, no indicators that this was going this way. We were completely blown away by it,” said Duane Pelfrey.
Bryce’s parents have decided to donate his organs so something positive may come out of this tragedy.
“Bryce’s life will live on in other babies … Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see and meet these other kids that have Bryce in them,” said Duane Pelfrey.
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