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Layla Raine Souders, 20, was charged with Third-Degree Murder, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Tampering with Evidence following an investigation into the death of infant Ioni Souders at their apartment on Wakefield Road in Susquehanna Township, according to the Susquehanna Township Police Department.
Police were dispatched to the home on Friday, March 28, for a report of a cardiac arrest involving a 4-month-old girl. Officers found the baby unresponsive and not breathing in a rear bedroom, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice. CPR was performed, but the infant later died at the hospital.
The child had been under the care of Souders' boyfriend, Jose Melendez Padilla, who told police he had been feeding the baby when she started crying, suffered a seizure, and became unresponsive. However, investigators uncovered disturbing signs of prolonged abuse, including a fractured femur, healing rib fractures, and repeated head trauma.
Melendez Padilla later admitted to punching the infant's right thigh where the fracture was located, according to the affidavit. Investigators also found text messages where he expressed hatred toward the baby, saying he wanted her out of their lives.
Souders allegedly admitted to witnessing the abuse for months but failed to seek medical attention, even after the child suffered seizures and visible injuries. Authorities say she also conspired with Melendez Padilla to cover up the abuse by fabricating a story about dropping the child during a shower and deleting WhatsApp messages between them.
While inside the apartment, police discovered a forged permanent resident card and a fake Social Security card belonging to Melendez Padilla, according to the affidavit. Authorities later determined that Melendez Padilla, 24, was in the United States illegally after overstaying a visa that was set to expire in August 2024.
As a result, Melendez Padilla was charged with First-Degree Murder, Felony Endangering the Welfare of Children, Criminal Conspiracy to Endanger the Welfare of a Child, Tampering with Evidence, Criminal Conspiracy to Tamper with Evidence, and Forgery, police say.
An autopsy revealed the cause of death was homicide due to multiple traumatic injuries, according to Dauphin County Coroner Dr. Ross.
Souders’ preliminary arraignment was held before Magisterial District Judge Marian Urrutia. She is being held without bail.
Melendez Padilla is also being held without bail, deemed a "threat to society and victim," according to court documents.
Souders' name may sound familiar to some readers of this writer’s work: She previously made headlines when she was reported missing at the age of 14 in 2019.
Meanwhile, Weeky Laroque — a man previously charged with attempted homicide in a 2020 shooting — has come forward claiming to be the father of infant Ioni Souders, according to CBS 21. His family is planning a vigil and his daughter's memory.
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