In Raleigh, North Carolina, a 22-year-old father was apprehended last week, accused of fatally shaking his three-week-old son within the confines of a hospital where the infant’s twin sister was receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Noah Benjamin Bliss was arrested on Friday and faces charges of first-degree murder and intentional child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury, according to court documents. The victim, Gunner Bliss, was the son of the accused. The arrest warrants indicate that the alleged crime occurred on October 6, with the child abuse charge specifically noting severe bodily harm, brain swelling, and bleeding inflicted on the infant.
While the authorities have not disclosed much about the circumstances surrounding Gunner’s death, the infant’s mother, Savannah Bliss, shared more about the tragic incident in an interview with a local NBC affiliate. She expressed her desire for justice for her son and shared her shock and grief over the unexpected loss.
According to Savannah Bliss, the incident occurred while she and her husband were at WakeMed Hospital, where their twins were born prematurely on September 15, 2023. The couple had been staying on a hotel-like floor of the hospital designed for family members of patients. Savannah Bliss had left Gunner with his father while she visited their daughter in the NICU when the alleged abuse occurred.
By the time Savannah returned, Gunner had suffered critical oxygen deprivation and had swelling and bleeding in his brain due to trauma. The infant had no visible external injuries or broken bones, suggesting the injuries were likely caused by violent shaking.
Savannah Bliss expressed her disbelief at the incident, stating that she saw no signs of her husband being violent with their children. Noah Bliss is currently being held without bond and is due to appear in court again next month.