A Westminster man has been charged with first-degree murder for the death of his girlfriend’s 13-month-old daughter.

Justin Hale, 31, is also charged with reckless child abuse resulting in death.

On May 18, police were called to Hale’s home at 9297 W. 98th Place in Westminster on a report of a child who was not breathing. First responders found the infant, Brookelynn Palmer, to be non-responsive and transported her to Good Samaritan Hospital.

According to court records, Hale was allegedly caring for the infant while her mother, Dorothy Palmer, was in the other room getting dressed, and the baby began to throw up and have seizures.

Palmer told police she heard a “thump” and said Hale told her that Brookelynn had been sitting on the coffee table and had fallen and hit her head when he stepped away

for a moment.

At the hospital, the infant never regained consciousness, according to court records. She suffered a severe skull fracture with severe swelling of the brain. Doctors referred to the baby’s injury as “abusive head trauma.” The infant was taken off life support on May 20.

Hale was arrested by Westminster Police on June 3 and is being held without bond at the Jefferson County Detention Center. If convicted on both counts, Hale faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.