Garfield County Couple Arrested After Baby's Death

Enid police arrested a couple in connection with the death of their baby.

45-year-old Mark Cannon and 26-year-old Jennifer Cannon are in the Garfield County Detention Center on a complaint of child neglect.

Investigators said they left their six-week-old child unattended for six and a half hours on Wednesday.

A relative made a desperate cry for help around 1 p.m., but when paramedics arrived to the home in 2500 block of N. Madison, they were unable to resuscitate the baby.

Investigators said the parents admitted they were drinking all night and got into an argument.

"They kind of went their separate ways," Enid Police Captain Jack Morris said. He explained, following the fight, the father took the baby and their one-year-old son for a drive.

The father claimed he returned to the home but, Jennifer Cannon was gone. So, he fed the baby and put the children to bed.

Investigators said when someone finally checked on the baby, she was cold and not breathing.

"It is one of the hardest cases you can go to," Captain Morris said investigators believe the couple had a history of not properly caring for the baby.

He said, from appearances, the baby's health had been neglected over a long period of time.

"When it comes to a situation of neglect, and you believe that the parents aren't really responsible like they should be, it really hits you," Captain Morris said.

Garfield County Jail staff said the Cannons are now being held on $600,000 bonds, each. The one-year-old was removed from the home and placed in state custody.

The Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine how the baby died. No formal charges have been filed.