The S. Assault & Murder of 10-Month-Old Zara Scruggs

On October 3, 2020, at 10:40 p.m. police in Lower Providence, PA, responded to a 911 call reporting an unresponsive infant at a home on Germantown Pike. Officer Eric Honick found 10-month-old Zara Scruggs wearing only a diaper, unresponsive in her bed.

Off. Honick placed Zara on the floor and began CPR until paramedics arrived. Zara was transported to Einstein Medical Center Montgomery. Despite extensive resistation efforts, Zara was pronounced dead at 12:12 a.m.

That evening, Zara was home alone with her father, 31-year-old Austin Stevens.

Off. Honick noticed how calm Stevens appeared while he performed life-saving measures on his infant daughter, stating he was “almost emotionless.” When told by doctors that Zara had passed away, he remained emotionless, only letting out a sigh.

Autopsy and Search of Stevens Phone

On October 4, 2020, Dr. Frederick Hellman performed an autopsy on Zara. He determined her cause of death to be blunt force trauma and the manner of death a homicide. He also found anal rectum trauma, injuries consistent with sexual abuse. Dr. Hellman stated he saw blood in Zara’s diaper when it was removed.

Stevens agreed to go to the station for an interview with the police. During questioning, he told officers he was giving Zara a bath when he stepped out of the room to fix a drink. He heard a thud and thought Zara had fallen and hit her head. 

He ran back into the bathroom, grabbed Zara, and wrapped her in a towel. Stevens said he comforted Zara, but she became unresponsive. He said he then called 911.

Detectives searched Stevens's phone and found searches including “If baby stops breathing, “What if you don't hear baby heart or beat” and “My baby isn't breathing” approximately an hour before he called 911.  During that hour, he also texted and spoke to two women on social media about matters unrelated to Zara.

Stevens Arrested, Convicted

Police arrested Stevens on charges of first-degree murder, rape of a child, aggravated assault, and numerous other related charges. He pleaded not guilty on all charges.

The jury saw right through Stevens's lies. It took 90 minutes to return a guilty verdict on charges of first-degree murder, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and endangering the welfare of a child. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and is currently serving his time at Forest Correctional Institute.

“In just 10 short months, Zara Lynn Scruggs sparked so much joy. She was smart. She was silly. She was sassy. She was perfect. She was a beautiful baby, and brought so much beauty into hundreds of lives.” ---Zara’s family.

My deepest condolences go out to Zara’s family.

Rest easy, sweet baby.

I hope Austin Stevens experiences the worst that prison life has to offer. He deserves nothing more.

Thank you for reading this true crime story. Follow me on Facebook @criminalmatterspage and check out the other stories available here on Vocal.

Sources & More Info:

https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5289

https://casetext.com/case/commonwealth-v-stevens-77

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/baby-girl-dies-after-sexual-assault-father-charged/2555665/

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