Dad charged with murder in death of 6-month-old daughter tells investigators "She would not stop crying"

An Orange County man is facing charges in connection with the death of his 6-month-old daughter, who was found with a fractured skull two weeks ago.

Dekari Castell, 22, killed his daughter in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma because she "would not stop crying". He told investigators he punched his daughter in the head while staying at his mother’s house after Hurricane Irma.

He allegedly said he "was highly stressed as a result of being without power during the hurricane," and said his daughter kept on crying non-stop. After punching her, investigators said Castell told them the baby became quiet, and he laid her on a bed before calling the baby’s mother.

Orlando police arrested Dekari Castell, 22, on a charge of aggravated child abuse, but the charge was upgraded to first-degree murder on Tuesday, officials said. A judge ordered that Castell be held without bond.