Father charged in fatal blow to infant daughter

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Police say when a Florida man couldn't stand being without power and air conditioning following Hurricane Irma, he took his frustrations out on his little girl.

Dekari Castell, 22, of Orlando, faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of his 6-month-old daughter.  He is accused of striking the infant twice in her head and fracturing her skull.  She died a day later.

The baby was found unresponsive in a home on Lescot Lane, the same residence where police arrested Markeith Loyd in January.  Loyd is the man accused of killing Orlando Police Lt. Debra Clayton.

During their investigation, police say Castell was tangled in a web of lies.  They say he first told them he accidentally dropped the baby, then he said the baby was on the TV stand and fell.  Then, police say he changed his story a third time, claiming he was throwing the baby into the air and she fell. 

Cantell finally admitted he hit the baby twice in the head, authorities say, because he was "highly stressed being without power during the hurricane,"  and the baby wouldn't stop crying.

Castell made a first appearance before a judge on Tuesday -- his dead daughter's name tattooed on his forehead.  Castell is being held in Orange County Jail without bond.

According to a police report, the Florida Department of Children and Families investigated Castell last year.  He was accused of breaking his 4-week-old son's leg.  No charges were filed in that case.