Man Pleads Not Guilty in Baby Daughter's Death

Trevor Eugene Smith, left, sits with Public Defender Aaron Hawkbaker during an initial court appearance in Black Hawk County District Court on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. (JEFF REINITZ/ Courier Staff Writer)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Feb 6, 2013 at 12:16 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 6, 2013 at 12:16 PM CDT

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A 27-year-old Iowa man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he killed his baby daughter.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that written pleas were filed last week for Trevor Smith. His trial is tentatively scheduled to begin April 2 on charges of first-degree murder and with child endangerment causing death.

Prosecutors say Smith was caring for his 2-month-old daughter, Aubriana Jo Christian, last September in Waterloo when she stopped breathing. Doctors later determined that the girl had a brain bleed that wasn't caused by an accident. She died Oct. 2 after being removed from life support.

Smith initially told police that Aubriana stopped breathing after he gave her a bottle. But police couldn't find the bottle, and officers say Smith later acknowledged shaking his daughter.