Battle Creek Police said today that the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office will seek an open murder charge on 29-year-old Battle Creek man, Kyle Kregling, in the death of his 8-month-old child.
Police were called to the 100 block of West Territorial Road on Monday for an unresponsive infant. Kregling told officers the child fell out of bed, suffering injuries. The responding officers believed the child’s injuries may not have been consistent with an accidental fall, and called the Detective Bureau and Crime Lab to assist.
LifeCare Ambulance took the infant to Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo. At the time of arrival, the child was listed in critical condition.
Detectives interviewed Kregling for additional information, at which time his version of events changed. Police executed a search warrant at the home. Through the course of the investigation, police determined the cause of the child’s injuries likely were physical abuse.
Kregling was arrested on a charge of first-degree child abuse. He was arraigned Wednesday, with bond set at $150,000.
Shortly after arraignment, the infant died from their injuries. After an autopsy, the child’s death was ruled a homicide.
The case remains open, and police have no further information at this time.