Man charged in fatal stabbing of 1-year-old niece

                                                   

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut man was charged with murder on allegations he fatally slashed his 1-year-old niece in her abdomen while babysitting, police said.

Authorities in Bristol responded to a 911 call about an injured baby shortly before 7:30 p.m. Monday. When they arrived at the home, officers encountered a person running toward them carrying a child with a severe laceration to her mid-section.

Police officers gave the girl medical attention before paramedics brought her to Bristol Hospital. She was later flown to Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, where she died, officials said.

The girl was identified as Zaniyah Calloway. Police said an 11-year-old child also was in the home at the time, but wasn't harmed.

Authorities said Arthur Hapgood, 36, of Waterbury, came out of the house with no clothes on as officers approached and he was taken into custody without incident.

Hapgood was brought to Bristol Hospital to be treated for undisclosed injuries. Bristol officers later took him to the police department and charged him with murder with special circumstances, reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a minor.

Hapgood was detained on $1.5 million bail and was expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Bristol Superior Court. It's not clear if he has a lawyer.

State court records show Hapgood has drug-selling convictions. In 2008, he was sentenced to four years in prison.