Father Allegedly Fled Hospital After Learning His 3-Month-Old Son Was Dead — Leaving His Toddler Daughter Behind

Authorities say Wayne Burnett asked whether he was in trouble just moments before allegedly running from the hospital as police arrived. Nearly two years later, he is facing serious charges in connection with his infant son’s death.

A Maryland father is facing a series of serious criminal charges after authorities say he fled a hospital when doctors pronounced his 3-month-old son dead, leaving his 2-year-old daughter behind.

Wayne Burnett, 31, was charged in connection with the child’s death after investigators determined that the infant had suffered fatal head injuries, according to court records cited by Law&Crime.

The case dates back to November 24, 2024, when Burnett reportedly brought his baby boy to the emergency room at MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore.

A Father’s Account — and a Death That Raised Questions

According to reports, Burnett told authorities that he discovered his son cold and unresponsive. He allegedly said that he turned up the heat in his home, but the baby remained in the same condition roughly an hour later.

The infant was taken to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead shortly before 9 p.m.

Burnett had also brought his 2-year-old daughter to the hospital. But the situation reportedly took a dramatic turn when he was informed that his baby son had died.

Authorities say Burnett asked whether he was in trouble.

At that moment, law enforcement vehicles arrived at the medical center with their emergency lights flashing. Investigators allege that Burnett then ran out of the hospital, leaving his toddler daughter behind.

The Autopsy Changed the Course of the Investigation

The infant’s death was subsequently investigated by the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

According to Law&Crime, the autopsy findings were reported on May 15 and classified the child’s death as a homicide caused by head injuries.

The finding raised serious questions about what had happened to the baby before he was brought to the hospital.

The case, however, did not immediately result in an arrest. Nearly two years after the infant’s death, authorities moved forward with charges against Burnett.

Arrested Nearly Two Years Later

Burnett was arrested on September 16, 2026, by the Baltimore Police Department during an enforcement operation targeting multiple wanted individuals, according to the report.

He faces several charges, including second-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a child under 13, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment and neglect of a minor.

The case was reportedly filed in court on the Monday before Law&Crime published its October 8 report. A court date had not been announced at the time of publication.

The allegations have not, by themselves, established Burnett’s guilt. The criminal case will determine his legal responsibility for the child’s death.

For investigators, the central questions remain what caused the infant’s fatal injuries and what happened in the moments before he was brought to the hospital.

Source: Law&Crime