Marine Faces Murder Charges in Beating Death of Daughter, 1

CAMP PENDLETON — A Marine was charged with murder Friday in connection with the death of his 14-month-old daughter earlier this month.

Lance Cpl. Kenneth B. Cook, 21, is accused of the fatal beating of his daughter, Tiffani Marie Cook, on Feb. 3.

Cook, a member of a weapons company in the 1st Marine Division, also was charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, assault consummated by battery on a child under 16, and making false statements.

Cook’s daughter was pronounced dead at Naval Hospital Pendleton, where she was taken after her mother, Melissa, called for an ambulance.