L. NAZARETH TWP., Pa. – A father charged with murder after the death of a baby girl in Northampton County could face trial.
Daniel Moist waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday, according to court documents. That sets the stage for a possible trial.
His formal arraignment is set for Oct. 8.
Northampton County District Attorney Stephen Baratta said Moist left his 14-month-old daughter in the backseat of his car in Lower Nazareth Township, on a day when the region was under an excessive heat warning.
Moist, 38, of Nazareth, is charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, and leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, according to court paperwork.
According to the affidavit, on June 11, Moist had dropped off his seven-year-old daughter at Pen Argyl High School for a sports camp and was supposed to drop his 14-month-old daughter off at a daycare center.
Baratta said the investigation revealed that Moist has a routine of traveling four days a week to drop off his 14-month-old baby at the daycare center.
Instead, Baratta said Moist drove by the daycare, continuing his drive to his work in Hanover Township and making a pitstop to purchase energy drinks.
The baby was left in the car from 10 a.m. until after 4 p.m., according to investigators.
Investigators said Moist received a call from his wife, saying she went to pick the baby up from the daycare and was informed their daughter had not been dropped off that day.
After the call, Moist then allegedly left his office, went to his car in the parking lot and discovered the baby girl dead in a car seat in the back of the vehicle.
“Mr. Moist got into the car, began driving, called 911 was directed to pull over,” Baratta said.
That’s when Moist stopped his car in the lot of the ID Logistics on Hanoverville Road, while waiting for police.
A representative from ID Logistics said none of their employees or known affiliates were involved.
Investigators described Moist as having “glassy, bloodshot eyes”; a blood test later revealed that Moist had marijuana and THC in his system, according to court records.
In a statement, Moist’s attorney Gary Asteak said: “Let there be no rush to judgment. This was a horrible family tragedy, a family’s worst nightmare but to cast blame now is unfair and reflects a lack of compassion. When the whole story is told, it will bring tears to everyone’s eyes. Daniel is innocent and a jury may be needed to hear the whole truth.”