A Washington couple is facing murder charges after investigators say their 7-week-old son suffered devastating injuries at home, and one of the most disturbing details in the case came days later from inside the hospital room where the baby was fighting for his life.
According to investigators, 21-year-old Mark Anthony Labaco Clamor called 911 on March 4 after the infant became unresponsive. The baby was taken to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, where doctors quickly realized they were not looking at a routine medical emergency.
Police were called to the hospital the following day after a social worker reported a possible abuse case.
Doctors Saw Injuries They Said Were Consistent With Abuse
Court documents say the baby, identified as N.C., arrived with severe injuries that included brain trauma and other signs doctors believed pointed to abuse rather than an accident.
A physician specializing in abuse intervention reportedly concluded that the injuries were consistent with abusive head trauma. The baby died on March 9.
As detectives worked to piece together what happened, Clamor allegedly told them he had been overwhelmed by the stress of caring for a newborn while also dealing with financial pressure, unemployment, and housing concerns.
He said the baby became fussy during a feeding, and he made a forceful motion while handling him. According to local reports, he later admitted he may have been too rough with his son.
That admission became one of the central pieces of the case.
Investigators Say the Parents Waited Too Long To Get Help
Authorities also focused on what happened after the baby first began showing signs that something was wrong.
According to investigators, the parents believed he had fallen asleep and took him into the bathroom while they showered. When they came out, they said he seemed abnormal and was making strange noises. Instead of calling for emergency help right away, they allegedly thought he might be constipated and sent videos of him to family members.
Court records say investigators believe about an hour passed between the moment the parents realized something was seriously wrong and the moment Clamor finally called 911.
That delay is now a major part of the prosecution’s case.
The baby’s mother, 19-year-old Alyssa Jade Vanderbeck, also allegedly told investigators that in the panic, they tried to physically stimulate the baby. Authorities appear to believe those actions may have worsened an already critical situation.
An autopsy later reportedly found more injuries, and the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office listed the baby’s tentative cause of death as homicide due to abusive head trauma.
A Video From the Hospital Became One of the Case’s Most Jarring Details
Days after the baby was hospitalized, investigators found a TikTok video Vanderbeck allegedly posted on March 8.
According to court documents, she was seen dancing in the bathroom of the baby’s hospital room while upbeat music played in the background.
That detail stood out immediately to investigators, especially because it happened while the child was still in critical condition.
A Lakewood police officer who observed the couple at the hospital reportedly described their demeanor as unusual given the seriousness of the baby’s condition and the suspected abuse investigation already underway.
Clamor was later charged with two counts of second-degree murder. Vanderbeck was charged with one count of second-degree murder. Both appeared in court on March 12, and each was given $1 million bail.
What makes the case especially hard to process is not just the baby’s age, but the series of choices investigators say happened after the first signs of danger appeared. By the time help was finally called, doctors were already looking at injuries they believed no infant should ever have suffered.
If you suspect child abuse, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-422-4453.
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