Mother of Infant Killed at Fort Eisenhower Now in Custody

An eleven-month-old child died at Fort Eisenhower Wednesday morning, leaving many asking questions.  Witnesses reported seeing crime scene tape outside the family's home in McNair Terrace housing on post.

Today, a statement from the Army confirmed the death of the eleven-month-old male infant and the arrest of his mother for murder.

Statement from the Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Eisenhower

"We can confirm that the deceased is the young son of Staff Sgt. James Short of San Diego, California.  Short joined the Army in 2006 as a signal support system specialist and joined the Fort Eisenhower team in 2021 as a drill sergeant.  The victim's mother and spouse of SSG Short is in custody."

The U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Georgia released a statement today:

"The child's mother, 30-year-old April Evalyn Short of Fort Eisenhower, is charged by federal complaint with Murder, with an aggravating circumstance of the alleged crime occurring during an act of child abuse," said Jill El Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Steinberg said Short is accused of using a knife to cut the baby's neck.  He was rushed to Eisenhower Army Medical Center where he was pronounced dead the morning of November 15.

"Short has appeared for an initial hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian K. Epps and has not yet entered a plea.  She is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals service and is awaiting further proceedings.  She is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty," said Steinberg.

The case is being investigated by Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division with the help of the FBI.

A statement from the Army said they had released their final statement on the matter to protect the integrity of the active investigation.