Couple Accused of Shaking Their 4-Month-Old Daughter to Death, as Dad Claims He and the Baby Were 'Playing Rough' By Bailey Richards

A 4-month-old baby in Nebraska died from a brain injury consistent with shaking, and both of her parents have been arrested. Her dad claims that prior to her death, he and the baby were “playing rough.”

Following the death of their baby daughter, Ryan and Tanya Greenwood of Lincoln, Neb., are behind bars, where they are both being held on suspicion of child abuse resulting in death, according to the Lincoln Police Department (LPD). They are also accused of denying the infant medical assistance, Nebraska outlet KOLN reported.

In the early morning of Thursday, Aug. 14, around 5:30 a.m. local time, police responded to the couple’s apartment after Ryan, 36, called 911 to report that his baby daughter was dead, police said. Both he and Tanya, 28, were home when officers arrived.

The baby died of a traumatic brain injury consistent with shaking, KOLN reported, citing an official autopsy. A child abuse specialist also examined the infant, concluding that her fatal injuries were non-accidental, and that immediate medical attention could have improved her chance of surviving, according to the Lincoln outlet.

Ryan allegedly told police that the day before he called 911, he had been “playing rough” with his daughter, who subsequently began crying uncontrollably, KOLN reported.

He claimed he gave her a bottle and put her to bed late that night, but hours later, Tanya realized she did not wake up as usual, according to the outlet.

The Lincoln dad said the infant was then found unresponsive and cold, per KOLN. He claimed he then attempted CPR on the baby before calling his mother, and then 911.

Tanya told a different story, according to KOLN.

During the investigation into her daughter’s death, the mother told authorities that on Aug. 13, she went grocery shopping, but returned to her daughter’s wails, which she described as “the worst cry I had ever heard,” per the outlet.

She also claimed that she wanted to seek medical help for the baby, but Ryan said not to.

The investigation later revealed that Tanya had witnessed Ryan shake their daughter when he was frustrated in the past, per KOLN. It also revealed that Tanya had searched online about shaken baby syndrome in the days after the infant’s death, the outlet reported, citing court records.

Tanya had also previously texted Ryan inquiring about injuries she had observed on their daughter, KOLN reported, citing court records.

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It is not immediately clear whether the Greenwoods have obtained legal representation to comment on their behalf.

Ryan was arrested and booked into Lancaster County Jail on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and Tanya was booked on Thursday, Aug. 28, according to jail and police records viewed by PEOPLE. Their bonds are both set at $1.5 million.

Lincoln police are asking anyone with information about this case to call 402-441-6000 and reference case number C5-070524.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.