Baby died in basement with 'red fluid' coming out of her... then dad vaped nonchalantly while chatting with cops about what happened, prosecutors say

A Utah father accused of causing the death of his baby by leaving her alone in a basement vaped while explaining how she died to police, prosecutors said. 

Neal English Colby, 42, was arrested on Thursday on charges of child abuse homicide and child endangerment resulting in death in connection with the death of his seven-month-old daughter, Celia Aurora Colby.

Celia was found unresponsive with 'red fluid' coming out in a 'very dirty' basement' on January 17, 2025, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Daily Mail. 

The baby's mother, Courtney Dawn Laird, is separated from Colby but lives in the same home with him and had asked him to watch her as she was suffering from the flu, the charging documents state.

She had given the baby children's Tylenol in the morning and had an appointment to visit the pediatrician, the filings continued. 

Laird brought the baby downstairs to Colby around 2.30am, telling him she needed to sleep.

'She awoke this morning to Colby yelling for her. (She) stated she went downstairs and found (Celia) lying face up on Colby's bed ... and that (Celia) had red fluid coming out of her,' according to charging documents.

Laird said she immediately began performing CPR and had to call 911 at the same time because 'Colby would not call,' per the filing.

Celia died on the way to the hospital and officials have not determined a cause of death.  Laird has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Colby described the order of events differently to investigators, according to Law & Crime.

The father said he checked on Celia hourly until about 8.30am before he fell asleep.

Colby added that he 'wrapped a blanket around her tightly that stopped at her shoulder,' but claimed Celia had pulled it over her face.

Officials with the police said: 'Body-cam footage from responding officers shows that (Colby) showed no remorse and was vaping when officers were not looking at him,' according to the charging documents.

'When officers make direct eye contact and speak with (him), he immediately begins wailing and howling, stating he doesn't know what happened.'

A reddish fluid was discovered by investigators on the mattress near bottles of urine, animal waste and drug paraphernalia, according to KTVX.

Officials claimed they also found several jars of THC wax in a cupboard containing baby food and other children's items.

The father's cellphone, which he claimed had been missing, was discovered in a couch revealing another harrowing detail.

The phone had left the home around 3.21am, which court documents claimed meant Celia was 'alone without supervision' while he 'left the residence for 43 minutes,' per the complaint.

'GPS tracking shows that the area where Colby's phone remained is a known drug area for Murray police,' the filing continued. 

Additionally, an autopsy report found that Celia sustained bruising to her right cheek, chin and nostrils.

Investigators reported that the injuries were not fatal but could possibly have been caused by external forces.

A child abuse pediatrician who reviewed the case said in charging documents: 'The pattern of injury can be seen when a caregiver pinches the nose shut.'

'It cannot be ruled out that her airway was manually obstructed by an adult.'

An obituary for Celia described her as an energetic spirit whose life sparkled with joyful love.

'Celia's favorite place to be was outdoors, on Mommy's or Daddy's laps, in the stroller, on a blanket in the sunny shade, where the wind was tickling the leaves overhead and the birds were singing! Celia was fully engaged, with a deep connection to Nature,' reads the obituary.

'She had no concern nor fear of being caught outdoors once in a thundering rainstorm! Celia was illuminated and beautifully blessed by the rain.'

According to KSL, prosecutors have requested that Colby not be allowed to post bail.