Gig Harbor man pleads not guilty to baby killing

TACOMA — A Gig Harbor man pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in the death of his 3-week-old baby daughter.

After Thursday’s plea in Pierce County Superior Court, the 38-year-old man, Bonifacio Velasco Velarde, remains jailed in Tacoma on $1 million bail.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reports the girl died May 21 from head injuries caused either by a blow or from having her head squeezed.

Velarde had called 911 May 18 and reported the girl was unconscious but didn’t tell detectives what happened.

His wife told investigators he had been suffering “rage attacks.”

Information from: The News Tribune, www.thenewstribune.com

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