Fort Eisenhower officials say that the mother of the baby killed this week has been arrested.
A spokeswoman did not release the name of the child or the mother, but said the infant victim was the son of Staff Sgt. James Short of San Deigo, California. Jefferson County authorities confirm they are holding 30-year-old April Short for the U.S. Marshal’s Office.
“Short joined the Army in 2006 as a signal support system specialist and joined the Fort Eisenhower team in 2021 as a drill sergeant,” said Lesli J. Ellis-Wouters, communications director for the fort’s Cyber Center of Excellense. “The victim’s mother and spouse of SSG Short is in custody.”
The spokeswoman said that the Army has informed the Fort Eisenhower community of the identity. The post is formally known as Fort Gordon.
“We are focused on providing support to all who suffered in this tragedy,” she said in a statement. “We appreciate the sensitivity afforded to our community as we take care of our team and continue to heal from this tragic loss. This will be the final release on this event to protect the integrity of this active investigation.”
The death occurred Wednesday, and witnesses say the child was rushed to the hospital before being pronounced.
