Maine State Police Investigating Orrington Infant Death; Father Charged With Murder

January 20, 2026

By – Scanner Alerts Media

Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit–North is investigating the death of a 12-week-old infant in Orrington, an incident authorities say is isolated with no ongoing public safety concerns.

Police said the Penobscot Regional Communications Center received a 911 call on the morning of Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, reporting that an infant had become unresponsive. Responders from Orrington Fire and Rescue, the Brewer Fire Department, and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office went to a residence to provide aid. The infant, identified as Lyla Samuels, was transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

Due to the facts and circumstances of the case, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit–North was called in to investigate.

As a result of the investigation, detectives arrested the infant’s father, Shawn Samuels, 24, of Orrington, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. Authorities said he was charged with Domestic Violence Elevated Aggravated Assault (Class A) and two counts of Violation of Bail (Class E).

On Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, detectives learned the infant had died. An autopsy was performed at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta the following day. Police said the cause of death is tentative pending final testing, and the manner of death was ruled homicide. Following the autopsy, detectives arrested Samuels on a Murder charge at the Penobscot County Jail, where he remains in custody.

Police said Samuels’ initial appearance is scheduled to take place via Zoom at the Penobscot County Judicial Center in Bangor on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at 11:45 a.m.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to call 207-973-3700 ext. 9 and request Detective Dana Austin. Tips can also be submitted through the Major Crimes Unit–North online portal.

For support related to domestic abuse in Maine, authorities referenced the Statewide Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-866-834-HELP.

Credit: Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit–North