Only On 9: OKC Mother Speaks Following Death Of Her Baby

Oklahoma City police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse, neglect, and death of a one-month-old baby girl who died April 13. The father of the baby, 22-year-old James Ray Fuston, is currently in jail accused in her death. But the baby's mother says he’s not a killer.

“It was accidental,” said Brittany Lee, the mother of little Natalie Fuston. “I know he would never do anything [to] intentionally to hurt his daughter. He was a great father.”

Natalie Fuston passed away at Children's Hospital on April 13. She was brought to the hospital six days before after Brittany noticed her daughter wasn't acting right and wasn't responding to touch.

Brittany said James Fuston told her he had accidentally bumped the baby’s head against the door. But court papers revealed Fuston lied to Lee about what really happened, and that his story didn’t explain the severity of her injuries.

4/15/16 Related Story: Father Arrested For Murder In Death Of Newborn Baby In OKC

“When he finally admitted to me what he did he told me that he was scared I was going to be mad at him,” said Lee.

Brittany said she and James had only been dating a few months when she got pregnant, but there was no question that they were keeping the baby.

“It was the best blessing in my life,” said Lee. “All I could think about was her.”

But Brittany admitted she suffered from postpartum depression, and relied on James a lot. The two decided he would stay home with the baby while she went back to work.

“He pretty much took care of her most of that time,” said Lee. “And that's why this is so hard for me because I feel like I didn't spend enough time with her.”

“It’s on his mind now that he did it,” said Lee. “It’s on his conscience now forever. I forgive him but I won't forget.”

Lee said she saw Fuston toss baby Natalie up in the air more than once. And that she warned him not to do it.

“He kind of just looked at me and said ‘look baby - she's smiling, she's smiling about it’,” said Lee. “And she was, when he finally caught her she was smiling.”

Court records reflect that both Lee and another relative warned him not to do it since it would cause injuries.

Police told News 9 this is still an open and active investigation.

So far no formal charges have been filed, but Fuston is being held without bond in the Oklahoma County Jail accused of murder in the first degree of a child, child abuse and child neglect.

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