GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A father charged with murder in the death of his 10-month-old daughter is headed to trial.
Seth Welch and the child's mother Tatiana are charged in the death of their young daughter Marydue to neglect back in August of 2018.
The couple told police that they never sought out medical help for the child for religious reasons and for fears of Child Protective Services being called.
Prosecutors say Mary was found dead in the family's Solon Township home after an autopsy showed she was starved and dehydrated.
Documents show Seth and Tatiana were aware that Mary was skinny and was low in weight for at least a month before the child died but they said they didn't trust medical services.
Today we expect to hear opening statements from witnesses and investigators in the trial for Seth, Tatiana is expected to head to trial next month.
In 911 calls from the day Mary died, Seth told dispatchers he called his lawyer first after finding Mary's body and then waited more than 90 minutes to call for help.
The couple has two other children who are now in the care of family. They both face up to life in prison if convicted.