Authorities say the child's mother and grandmother were assaulted and a suspect is under arrest, but the circumstances surrounding the girl's death remain a mystery.
Neighbors say they did not hear anything before the baby was discovered inside the apartment on Stratford Avenue in the Soundview section. Police were called to the scene just after 10 a.m. Monday to break up a fight between the baby's father, identified as 20-year-old Kevin Palmer, and her 19-year-old mother and 43-year-old grandmother.
Police said Palmer had confronted and assaulted both women.
While they were there, they found 3-month-old Anetta Taylor-Palmer, unresponsive. She was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival just before 1 p.m.
The Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.
Neighbors say Anetta was born premature and suffered from health problems.
Palmer is charged with two counts of third-degree assault.
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