Topline: Authorities say the child’s father was the only adult present and is now charged in the death.
Published: August 20, 2025 8:00 am ET
Must Read
Robert Paul Charles Jenkins Jr. (via Altoona PD)
ALTOONA, PA — A Pennsylvania man is in custody after a nearly three-year investigation into the 2022 death of his 8-week-old son revealed the infant died from alcohol intoxication, not natural causes as initially believed.
Robert Paul Charles Jenkins Jr., 34, was arrested Monday and charged with involuntary manslaughter, multiple counts of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Altoona Police Department.
He is being held at the Blair County Prison on $100,000 cash bail.
Authorities say officers first responded to the 1400 block of 3rd Avenue just after 11 p.m. on September 5, 2022, after Jenkins reported that his infant son was in cardiac arrest. When police arrived, Jenkins was holding the baby and, according to the Altoona Mirror, told officers he “didn’t know what to do.” He was not performing CPR.
Jenkins told police he had placed the baby on a small pillow on the couch and fell asleep beside him. When he woke about an hour later, the baby was unresponsive and blue. He called 911 shortly after.
At the time, a preliminary autopsy ruled the death as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but a toxicology report returned several months later revealed a very different cause: the baby had a blood alcohol content of 0.149%—nearly twice the legal driving limit for an adult—and methamphetamine in his system. The cause of death was revised to alcohol intoxication and ruled a homicide.
Investigators say Jenkins was the only adult present in the home that night. The baby’s mother had not been at the residence since August 21, following a domestic dispute, and Jenkins was reportedly caring for the infant and the couple’s 1-year-old child alone. A later affidavit confirmed through witness statements that no one else had access to the house at the time of the baby’s death.
According to the affidavit obtained by WJAC, officers documented drug paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine use at the scene, along with a small bloodstain on the pillow where the baby had been lying. Officers also recovered a message on Jenkins’ phone sent through Facebook Messenger asking, “Yo bro you got any up?”—a phrase investigators identified as common slang for methamphetamine.
The child’s mother, who had a no-contact order in place at the time, told police she had not used controlled substances since 2017. She denied ever giving the baby alcohol and said she was not present in the home. Jenkins, in later interviews, suggested that she or his sister might have administered alcohol to the child. He claimed the mother used peanut butter whiskey on the baby’s gums and also suggested his sister, whom he described as a drug user, may have touched the infant with methamphetamine residue on her hands.
Police say both of those claims were investigated and ruled out. The baby’s mother and a friend confirmed she was not at the house, and Jenkins’ sister told investigators she had been clean for years and did not drink. She stated that when she dropped off Jenkins and his children earlier that evening, no one else was present. Jenkins later called her shortly after midnight to say the baby had died.
The Blair County Coroner’s report also noted that the infant’s stomach was swollen and rigid and that there was blood around his nose, suggesting possible trauma. Forensic pathologists told investigators that for a baby to reach such a high level of intoxication, the alcohol would have had to be administered shortly before the child was found unresponsive.
Child welfare officials from Blair County Children, Youth and Families told police they had advised Jenkins about safe sleep practices for infants and had even offered him a bassinet. But during a follow-up visit, staff reportedly found the baby placed on a pillow again, violating those guidelines.
Following what police described as a “lengthy and detailed” investigation, they concluded that Jenkins was solely responsible for administering the alcohol that killed his son.
Jenkins was arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Jones. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 27.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: Infant Had Fatal Blood Alcohol Level, Meth in System
Authorities say the child’s father was the only adult present and is now charged in the death.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 20, 2025 8:00 am ET
Robert Paul Charles Jenkins Jr. (via Altoona PD)
ALTOONA, PA — A Pennsylvania man is in custody after a nearly three-year investigation into the 2022 death of his 8-week-old son revealed the infant died from alcohol intoxication, not natural causes as initially believed.
Robert Paul Charles Jenkins Jr., 34, was arrested Monday and charged with involuntary manslaughter, multiple counts of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Altoona Police Department.
He is being held at the Blair County Prison on $100,000 cash bail.
Authorities say officers first responded to the 1400 block of 3rd Avenue just after 11 p.m. on September 5, 2022, after Jenkins reported that his infant son was in cardiac arrest. When police arrived, Jenkins was holding the baby and, according to the Altoona Mirror, told officers he “didn’t know what to do.” He was not performing CPR.
Jenkins told police he had placed the baby on a small pillow on the couch and fell asleep beside him. When he woke about an hour later, the baby was unresponsive and blue. He called 911 shortly after.
At the time, a preliminary autopsy ruled the death as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but a toxicology report returned several months later revealed a very different cause: the baby had a blood alcohol content of 0.149%—nearly twice the legal driving limit for an adult—and methamphetamine in his system. The cause of death was revised to alcohol intoxication and ruled a homicide.
Investigators say Jenkins was the only adult present in the home that night. The baby’s mother had not been at the residence since August 21, following a domestic dispute, and Jenkins was reportedly caring for the infant and the couple’s 1-year-old child alone. A later affidavit confirmed through witness statements that no one else had access to the house at the time of the baby’s death.
According to the affidavit obtained by WJAC, officers documented drug paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine use at the scene, along with a small bloodstain on the pillow where the baby had been lying. Officers also recovered a message on Jenkins’ phone sent through Facebook Messenger asking, “Yo bro you got any up?”—a phrase investigators identified as common slang for methamphetamine.
The child’s mother, who had a no-contact order in place at the time, told police she had not used controlled substances since 2017. She denied ever giving the baby alcohol and said she was not present in the home. Jenkins, in later interviews, suggested that she or his sister might have administered alcohol to the child. He claimed the mother used peanut butter whiskey on the baby’s gums and also suggested his sister, whom he described as a drug user, may have touched the infant with methamphetamine residue on her hands.
Police say both of those claims were investigated and ruled out. The baby’s mother and a friend confirmed she was not at the house, and Jenkins’ sister told investigators she had been clean for years and did not drink. She stated that when she dropped off Jenkins and his children earlier that evening, no one else was present. Jenkins later called her shortly after midnight to say the baby had died.
The Blair County Coroner’s report also noted that the infant’s stomach was swollen and rigid and that there was blood around his nose, suggesting possible trauma. Forensic pathologists told investigators that for a baby to reach such a high level of intoxication, the alcohol would have had to be administered shortly before the child was found unresponsive.
Child welfare officials from Blair County Children, Youth and Families told police they had advised Jenkins about safe sleep practices for infants and had even offered him a bassinet. But during a follow-up visit, staff reportedly found the baby placed on a pillow again, violating those guidelines.
Following what police described as a “lengthy and detailed” investigation, they concluded that Jenkins was solely responsible for administering the alcohol that killed his son.
Jenkins was arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Jones. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 27.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police: Infant Had Fatal Blood Alcohol Level, Meth in System
Authorities say the child’s father was the only adult present and is now charged in the death.
By Jacob Charles
Published: August 20, 2025 8:00 am ET
Robert Paul Charles Jenkins Jr. (via Altoona PD)
ALTOONA, PA — A Pennsylvania man is in custody after a nearly three-year investigation into the 2022 death of his 8-week-old son revealed the infant died from alcohol intoxication, not natural causes as initially believed.
Robert Paul Charles Jenkins Jr., 34, was arrested Monday and charged with involuntary manslaughter, multiple counts of aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the Altoona Police Department.
He is being held at the Blair County Prison on $100,000 cash bail.
Authorities say officers first responded to the 1400 block of 3rd Avenue just after 11 p.m. on September 5, 2022, after Jenkins reported that his infant son was in cardiac arrest. When police arrived, Jenkins was holding the baby and, according to the Altoona Mirror, told officers he “didn’t know what to do.” He was not performing CPR.
Jenkins told police he had placed the baby on a small pillow on the couch and fell asleep beside him. When he woke about an hour later, the baby was unresponsive and blue. He called 911 shortly after.
At the time, a preliminary autopsy ruled the death as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but a toxicology report returned several months later revealed a very different cause: the baby had a blood alcohol content of 0.149%—nearly twice the legal driving limit for an adult—and methamphetamine in his system. The cause of death was revised to alcohol intoxication and ruled a homicide.
Investigators say Jenkins was the only adult present in the home that night. The baby’s mother had not been at the residence since August 21, following a domestic dispute, and Jenkins was reportedly caring for the infant and the couple’s 1-year-old child alone. A later affidavit confirmed through witness statements that no one else had access to the house at the time of the baby’s death.
According to the affidavit obtained by WJAC, officers documented drug paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine use at the scene, along with a small bloodstain on the pillow where the baby had been lying. Officers also recovered a message on Jenkins’ phone sent through Facebook Messenger asking, “Yo bro you got any up?”—a phrase investigators identified as common slang for methamphetamine.
The child’s mother, who had a no-contact order in place at the time, told police she had not used controlled substances since 2017. She denied ever giving the baby alcohol and said she was not present in the home. Jenkins, in later interviews, suggested that she or his sister might have administered alcohol to the child. He claimed the mother used peanut butter whiskey on the baby’s gums and also suggested his sister, whom he described as a drug user, may have touched the infant with methamphetamine residue on her hands.
Police say both of those claims were investigated and ruled out. The baby’s mother and a friend confirmed she was not at the house, and Jenkins’ sister told investigators she had been clean for years and did not drink. She stated that when she dropped off Jenkins and his children earlier that evening, no one else was present. Jenkins later called her shortly after midnight to say the baby had died.
The Blair County Coroner’s report also noted that the infant’s stomach was swollen and rigid and that there was blood around his nose, suggesting possible trauma. Forensic pathologists told investigators that for a baby to reach such a high level of intoxication, the alcohol would have had to be administered shortly before the child was found unresponsive.
Child welfare officials from Blair County Children, Youth and Families told police they had advised Jenkins about safe sleep practices for infants and had even offered him a bassinet. But during a follow-up visit, staff reportedly found the baby placed on a pillow again, violating those guidelines.
Following what police described as a “lengthy and detailed” investigation, they concluded that Jenkins was solely responsible for administering the alcohol that killed his son.
Jenkins was arraigned Monday before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Jones. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 27.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
