By Lookout Staff

December 9, 2009 -- Santa Monica resident Donald Hillman, 33, was arrested on Monday in North Hollywood for the alleged murder of his 2-month-old stepdaughter.

The baby, whose name was not released, died last month as a victim of shaken baby syndrome, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

Shaken baby syndrome is caused by the violent shaking of an infant or small child. This can lead to long-term physical and mental disabilities, and in 20 percent of cases the child dies, according to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome in Utah.

Hillman brought the baby to a local hospital at 12:30 a.m. on October. 4. She was in full cardiac arrest and not breathing. Emergency room staff was able to resuscitate her twice, and they placed the baby on a ventilator.

An initial examination by a medical specialist determined the baby had injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

The baby was removed from life support through a court order on November 22. An autopsy performed three days later by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office found evidence consistent with the medical specialist’s findings and classified the case as a homicide.

Anyone with further information about the case is asked to contact Detective Michael Bambrick at 310-458-8932, Sgt. Ira Rutan at 310.458.8959 or the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8495.

Those wishing to remain anonymous should call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-78-27463).