A Pennsylvania man awaiting trial in connection with the untimely death of his infant son was taken into police custody once again and hit with new charges following a domestic dispute that allegedly turned violent.
On May 8, 2024, David Strause III’s 3-month-old baby, Gavin Strause, died from complications of asphyxia after he was allegedly put to sleep in his crib on his stomach. In the subsequent investigation, instructions on safe sleeping practices for babies were found in the home. Investigators also discovered several items, including blankets, plush toys and a “blue infant lounger” in his crib. (According to American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidelines, infant sleep surfaces should be left bare and without the presence of blankets, plushies or pillows.)
Both Strause and his wife — who was not publicly named —were charged with involuntary manslaughter roughly one year after the baby’s death.
While awaiting his trial date, which was set for March 23, Strause had another run-in with law enforcement when his wife called 911 and accused him of domestic violence.
She alleged they both had been drinking that night when they got into a verbal altercation.
“The victim reported they began the evening prior at a local bar,” the District Attorney’s Office said in a press release reported by The Lebanon Daily News. “Strause consumed multiple whiskeys. They argued over the victim’s ex-boyfriend. The victim and Strause returned home.”
At one point, Strause allegedly shoved his wife into their bed before hitting her in the face with a gun. When she attempted to escape to their basement to call the police, she claimed he followed her down. Dispatchers said they could hear a man shouting in the background of the wife’s 911 call, “This is how you want it to end, get out!” The wife then alleged he took her phone and “smashed it.”
While she was eventually able to run out of their home and enter her vehicle, she claimed she heard gunshots as she left the residence. Authorities later confirmed there was evidence that her vehicle had been shot at.
Once Strause’s wife fled their property, “various departments remained staged on-scene for hours while they negotiated,” according to the press release. Initially, Strause “refused to exit or desist,” and “state police were forced to close public roadways for safety and [to] secure the surrounding area.” However, he finally surrendered and was arrested around 9 a.m. that morning.
Aside from his involuntary manslaughter charge, Strause now faces additional charges of simple assault, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person and disorderly conduct.
“Domestic violence incidents are always the most dangerous for the victims and police,” Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said in a statement. “They represent heated arguments full of emotion and without reason. The victim was lucky to escape without being shot; the multitude of State Police Troopers on scene are lucky to do the same.”
Strause’s next court date is Thursday, February 12.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
