Gwinnett police say child shaken to death

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A man is being charged with felony murder in the death of a 3-month-old baby in Gwinnett County.

Officers said they were called to a home on the 3000 block of Sweetwater Road in Lawrenceville Wednesday after a woman said her daughter had stopped breathing.

Aliyana Valrie was transported from the scene by ambulance and was later pronounced dead at Gwinnett Medical Center.

The Medical Examiner's Office discovered significant trauma on Aliyana’s body during her autopsy. They then turned the case to homicide detectives.

Detectives said they determined the girl's father, Reuben Arthur Valrie, 28, caused Aliyana’s injuries by shaking her.

Family friend Steffanni didn’t want to be identified. She told Channel 2’ Tony Thomas no one suspected any dangers until the mother came home Wednesday.

“She went to work at 8:30, spoke to him during the day and everything seemed fine but then when she came home she found the baby in that state,” Steffanni said.

Later the same day Valrie was charged with cruelty to children and felony murder.

Valrie remains at the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.

“Nobody's expecting an infant to pass and there wasn't any life insurance policies or anything like that,” Steffanni said.

Steffanni said friends are trying to find money to help the mother pay for the upcoming funeral expenses.

WSBTV