An Indiana man has been charged in connection with the death of his 1-year-old daughter, who died a week after she was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Indianapolis police were called on July 31 when Amaya Milton first struggled to breathe and then became unresponsive, WXIN reported. She was taken to Riley Hospital, where she died on Sunday with brain swelling  and torn ligaments in her neck. Doctors at the hospital told investigators the injuries appeared to be from abuse.

Amaya’s father, 28-year-old Damian Milton, was arrested on a charge of serious bodily injury of a minor resulting in death.

According to court records, Milton initially told police that his daughter’s injuries may have come from a fall several days earlier. Amaya was taken to the hospital after the fall on July 25, and doctors did not perform a brain scan.

But later, Milton admitted that at times he became aggressive with the girl, and ultimately confessed that he had been angry with her for being fussy and grabbed her by the arm, gave her a bear hug, and squeezed her neck while she gasped for air.

Amaya’s mother told police she was at work the day her daughter was injured.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Sgt. Genae Cook noted that “being a new parent is difficult” and encouraged parents to seek help.

“You know there’s a saying it takes a village to raise a family and it really does. We need to lean on other people,” said Cook.

She also encouraged witnesses to report child abuse.

“These children can’t talk, so as parents and community members we all have to speak for them,” said Cook.

Milton is being held on an $80,000 bond at Marion County jail pending formal charges.

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[Featured image: Damian Milton/Marion County jail]