HomeMy WebLinkAbout13_06_07 Arrest for Murder Wilburn 112302
13-112302
BAKERSFIELD POLICE
DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Greg Williamson, Chief of Police
Contact: Michaela Beard
Public Information Office
661-326-3803
mbeard@bakersfieldpd.us
For Immediate Release June 7, 2013
On June 7, 2013, at 3:27 p.m., Bakersfield Police homicide detectives arrested John
Wilburn (34), of Bakersfield, for murder, assault resulting in the death of a minor child
under 8 years of age and possession of a firearm in connection with the death of Paige
Cohen (4 months), of Bakersfield.
On June 4, 2013, at 10:04 a.m. Bakersfield Police Officers responded to Mercy Hospital
for a report of an unresponsive infant. It was reported that Wilburn had been babysitting
the child at the time the injuries were sustained. Wilburn stated the child had been
momentarily left unattended on a living room couch and somehow rolled off onto the
floor. The injury appeared inconsistent with this statement, so detectives were called
and took over the investigation.
The victim was listed in critical condition and airlifted to the Madera Children’s Hospital
in Madera, California. On June 6, 2013, the infant succumbed to her injuries.
Detectives conducted several interviews and learned that once the child was injured
Wilburn failed to call for medical aid and instead called the mother and waited for her to
return home before taking the victim to a hospital.
Following the autopsy detectives obtained a Ramey warrant for the arrest of John
Wilburn. Wilburn was arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail.
The investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Bakersfield Police at (661) 327-7111 or
Detective D. Cox at (661) 326-3514.
You can now send an anonymous text message to the Bakersfield Police Department. It’s quick and it’s easy.
Simply enter 274637 into your phone and text BPDCRIMES along with your message. The text is sent to the
police department and the sender remains completely anonymous.
Tips can also be anonymously sent through the smartphone “TipSubmit” mobile App or via email at
https://www.tipsubmit.com.