Connecticut man charged with fatally stabbing 1-year-old niece

BRISTOL, Conn. - A Connecticut man has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of his 1-year-old niece.

Police said Arthur Hapgood, 36, was babysitting Monday night at a home in Bristol when he allegedly committed the crime. He is charged with murder, first-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a minor, according to CBS affiliate WFSB.

The station reports emergency crews arrived on the scene to find a neighbor running toward them holding Zaniyah Calloway. The 1-year-old had been stabbed in the stomach. She was initially taken to Bristol Hospital before being flown to Connecticut Children's Hospital, where she died.

An 11-year-old child was also in the home when Zaniyah was killed. It is unclear if she witnessed the stabbing.

Neighbors told WFSB they heard screams coming from the residence.

"[The suspect] really should pay for what he did. That's a little one," said neighbor Carrie Bulluss. "This is too scary. We are going to move."

The motive for the killing is unclear, and police are still investigating. Hapgood has previously been convicted of various drug felonies and has served time in prison, according to the station.

The suspect was arraigned at Bristol Superior Court late Tuesday morning. He appeared in a torn white dress shirt and dress pants. Someone in the gallery of the courtroom shouted "why" during his appearance, WFSB reports. Hapgood looked back but displayed no apparent emotion throughout the proceeding.

Hapgood's bond is set at $2.5 million.