Michael Alexander Crowl, a 26-year-old Lake Ariel resident, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after shaking a toddler, resulting in the toddler’s death. The guilty plea was entered Thursday in Wayne County Court of Common Pleas, where he is expected to be sentenced on Oct. 10.
The statement from Wayne County District Attorney AG Howell states that the incident that resulted in the baby’s death occurred on November 10, 2023. On that day, at approximately 10:42 a.m., an emergency room nurse at Wayne Memorial Hospital contacted Pennsylvania State Police in Honesdale about the infant’s condition. An ambulance had brought the 3-month-old baby from an address on Tannery Road, Lake Ariel.
The baby was flown by rescue helicopter to Geisinger’s pediatric intensive care unit, where he was pronounced “brain dead,” police said. The victim was pronounced dead on Nov. 13.
Previously: State Police: Wayne County man charged in death of shaken baby
According to the grandmother, police said the baby’s mother moved out of state a month ago and the father had not been seen in several days. Pennsylvania State Police reported Crowl told them in an interview that he worked for the baby’s family members and paid for room and board and babysat the baby.
Crowl remains in custody at the Wayne County Correctional Facility.
Peter Becker has worked at the Tri-County Independent and its predecessor publications since 1994. He can be reached at [email protected] or 570-253-3055, ext. 1588.
