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Gary man accused in death of 2-year-old Indiana girl

GARY, Ind. (AP) – A 19-year-old Gary man is being charged in the death of a 2-year-old girl whom authorities say he was babysitting.

Authorities have filed murder, neglect of a dependent and battery charges against Antonio Harris. The Lake County coroner’s office says 2-year-old Nieyely Lopez of Lake Station died of “multiple blunt force traumatic injuries.” Her death was ruled a homicide.

Police say Harris is dating the girl’s mother and was one of two people who flagged down firefighters in Gary with the girl wrapped in a blanket Sunday morning. A police report says the girl was cold and unresponsive, and she was pronounced dead at a hospital.

A probable cause affidavit says Harris denies hurting the girl. He was in police custody Tuesday.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Harris has an attorney.