Home Augusta County: Father charged with murder in May 20 death of infant
Local

Augusta County: Father charged with murder in May 20 death of infant

Chris Graham
Blake Clark
Blake Clark. Photo: Augusta County Sheriff’s Office

An Augusta County man has been charged with murder in the May 20 death of his infant child.

Blake Matthew Clark, 25, of Verona, was arrested on May 20, originally on a felony child abuse and neglect charge, according to information from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office.

The charge was upgraded to murder on Sunday.

Clark is in custody at Middle River Regional Jail.

The incident leading to the death of the infant dates to May 17, with a 911 call reporting an unresponsive, non-breathing infant at a residence on Meade Park Circle in Verona.

Emergency medical personnel from the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad and Augusta County Fire and Rescue initiated life-saving measures, and the infant was successfully resuscitated before being transported to Augusta Health. The infant was subsequently airlifted to the University of Virginia Medical Center.

A joint investigation involving medical personnel, law enforcement and Child Protective Services determined that the infant had sustained life-threatening injuries consistent with physical harm.

Investigators learned that the infant was in the care of Clark, the father, at the time the injuries occurred.

On May 20, the infant was taken off life support and was pronounced deceased at UVA Medical Center.

Support AFP




Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

Latest News

summer heat overheat temperature weather
U.S. & World

Everything you wanted to know about a heat dome, but were afraid to ask

dog puppy pet farm
Virginia

With the swelter of the heat dome coming, make sure to take care of your pets

With the heat dome on its way, PETA is urging people who see a dog chained outside in the sweltering heat to call authorities immediately – or to call PETA, if they don’t get the help they need from their local cops.

donald trump
U.S. & World

Trump dismisses pressure to sign affordable housing bill: ‘A big yawn’

That bipartisan affordable housing bill that Donald Trump’s own press secretary called “one of the most significant pieces of housing affordability legislation in American history” – what Trump really thinks about it is, “a big yawn.”

fueling up at gas station
U.S. & World

Trump regime on high gas prices: ‘Gas up in a red state.’ We did the math: It’s not mathing

police officer on city street at night
Local

Waynesboro: Police now investigating Saturday death as homicide, ID victim

ryan odom uva basketball
Basketball

UVA Basketball: Odom adds international perimeter shooter to 2026-2027 roster

fishing
Virginia

Virginia drought impacts on boating, fishing, hiking, camping: Know before you go