Press Release

Baby Sitter Arrested In Infant Death

Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives on St. Thomas arrested 41-year-old Rochelle Blyden and charged her in the death of a four month old baby boy.  Police said Blyden was the infants’ baby sitter and the child died from blunt force trauma to the head while in her care.  

Blyden was charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, Third Degree Assault, Unauthorized Possession of a Dangerous Weapon During the Commission of the Crime of Involuntary Manslaughter, Unauthorized Possession of a Dangerous Weapon During the Commission of the Crime of Third Degree Assault, Misprison of a Felony, Child Neglect, Child Abuse and Aggravated Child Abuse and Neglect.  

Blyden was arrested at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 based on a VI Superior Court Warrant. Her bail was set at $100,000 and she was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending her court appearance.  Blyden appeared at her advice of rights hearing Thursday. At the hearing, Blyden’s bail remained at $100,000, which she was unable to post and she was returned to custody.  

Police said the four and a half month old baby died on February 10, at the Roy L. Schneider Hospital and Medical Center emergency room. During the investigation, police interviewed several persons and received the results of the medical autopsy which concluded that the infant blunt force trauma to his head and asphyxiation.