Tillicum dad arrested in connection with toddler's death

TILLICUM, Wash. — On Oct. 6 West Pierce Fire responded to a Tillicum home for a 15-month-old girl not breathing, according to Lt. Chris Lawler with Lakewood Police Department. Responders transported the child to a local hospital in grave condition with suspicious injuries.

Neither of the parents agreed to give statements to on-scene investigators.

The toddler was later pronounced brain dead and taken off of life support on Oct. 9. After an autopsy was performed the medical examiner ruled the child's death a homicide, according to Lawler.

According to the Pierce County medical examiner, the cause of death was blunt force injury to the head.

The investigation led to the several search warrants being issued and the arrest of the child's father, who police identify as 42-year-old Matthew Gantt.

He was booked into the Pierce County Jail today, according to Lawler.

More news from KIRO 7

• MISSING 13-YEAR-OLD: Police search for girl, 13, missing out of Renton
• Two women killed on SR 18 in crash with suspected DUI driver
• Large-scale sting nets hundreds of arrests, drugs, and guns
• 8 traffic-related deaths in King County in just 7 days
• Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

​

Cox Media Group