HOMICIDE ARREST
News Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Homicide Arrest
VICTIM: Baby Boy Tavarez-Cepeda (1-day-old newborn)
DEFENDANT(S): Kevin Canaan – father of newborn (28 years of age)
Reading, PA
Yeniffer Tavarez-Cepeda – mother of newborn (25 years of age)
New York, NY
CHARGES: Criminal Homicide
Aggravated Assault
Endangering Welfare of Children
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, members of the West Reading Police Department were dispatched to the Tower Health Reading Hospital for suspected child abuse. Officers learned that earlier in the day, a seemingly healthy newborn baby was unexpectedly discovered to be in medical distress inside a private patient recovery room located within the maternity ward of the hospital. This infant was later flown to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center for advanced neo-natal care.
On Sunday, May 3, 2026, the victim child succumbed to his injuries while at the Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center. Medical personnel from the Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center advised investigators that the infant’s injuries were consistent with physical abuse and were not a result of the birthing process.
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Wayne K. Ross, conducted an autopsy on the victim at the Dauphin County Forensic Center located in Harrisburg, PA. The autopsy revealed that the victim had suffered a multitude of internal injuries. The cause of death was determined to have been ‘Multiple Traumatic Injuries’. Based upon the findings of Dr. Ross, the child’s death was ruled a homicide.
A joint investigation conducted by the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives and the West Reading Police Department revealed that at the time when these injuries were inflicted upon the infant, he was under the supervision of the two defendants inside a private room within the maternity ward of the Tower Health Reading Hospital. Repeated wellness checks of the infant by medical personnel allowed investigators to conclude that said injuries were inflicted within a short, well documented timeframe. In addition, the investigation determined that both defendant’s observed the infant to be in medical distress yet failed to alert any of the hospital staff.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, a criminal complaint was filed charging the infant’s parents with Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of Children. These charges were filed jointly by the Berks County Detectives and the West Reading Police Department based upon the criminal investigation that was conducted, which included interviews with the defendants and numerous healthcare professionals, as well as the findings of medical professionals.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, both defendants were taken into custody in Reading City by members of the Berks County Sheriffs Warrant Division, United States Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force, the West Reading Police Department, and the Berks County Detectives. Both defendants were transported to the Berks County Sheriffs Central Processing Center at the county courthouse for fingerprinting, photographing, and arraignment.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendants in this case are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
YENIFFER TAVAREZ-CEPEDA KEVIN CANAAN
VICTIM: Baby Boy Tavarez-Cepeda (1-day-old newborn)
DEFENDANT(S): Kevin Canaan – father of newborn (28 years of age)
Reading, PA
Yeniffer Tavarez-Cepeda – mother of newborn (25 years of age)
New York, NY
CHARGES: Criminal Homicide
Aggravated Assault
Endangering Welfare of Children
DETAILS OF INCIDENT:
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, members of the West Reading Police Department were dispatched to the Tower Health Reading Hospital for suspected child abuse. Officers learned that earlier in the day, a seemingly healthy newborn baby was unexpectedly discovered to be in medical distress inside a private patient recovery room located within the maternity ward of the hospital. This infant was later flown to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center for advanced neo-natal care.
On Sunday, May 3, 2026, the victim child succumbed to his injuries while at the Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center. Medical personnel from the Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center advised investigators that the infant’s injuries were consistent with physical abuse and were not a result of the birthing process.
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Wayne K. Ross, conducted an autopsy on the victim at the Dauphin County Forensic Center located in Harrisburg, PA. The autopsy revealed that the victim had suffered a multitude of internal injuries. The cause of death was determined to have been ‘Multiple Traumatic Injuries’. Based upon the findings of Dr. Ross, the child’s death was ruled a homicide.
A joint investigation conducted by the Berks County District Attorney’s Detectives and the West Reading Police Department revealed that at the time when these injuries were inflicted upon the infant, he was under the supervision of the two defendants inside a private room within the maternity ward of the Tower Health Reading Hospital. Repeated wellness checks of the infant by medical personnel allowed investigators to conclude that said injuries were inflicted within a short, well documented timeframe. In addition, the investigation determined that both defendant’s observed the infant to be in medical distress yet failed to alert any of the hospital staff.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, a criminal complaint was filed charging the infant’s parents with Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault, and Endangering the Welfare of Children. These charges were filed jointly by the Berks County Detectives and the West Reading Police Department based upon the criminal investigation that was conducted, which included interviews with the defendants and numerous healthcare professionals, as well as the findings of medical professionals.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, arrest warrants were issued for both defendants by Magisterial District Judge Steven M. Chieffo.
On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, both defendants were taken into custody in Reading City by members of the Berks County Sheriffs Warrant Division, United States Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force, the West Reading Police Department, and the Berks County Detectives. Both defendants were transported to the Berks County Sheriffs Central Processing Center at the county courthouse for fingerprinting, photographing, and arraignment.
As in every criminal case, the fact that an arrest occurred or a complaint has been filed is merely an accusation, and the defendants in this case are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
YENIFFER TAVAREZ-CEPEDA KEVIN CANAAN