A Texas mom is behind bars for the death of her 6-week-old baby daughter but insists her “rough” toddler son must have killed the baby.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that 25-year-old Halle Marie Murry said she woke up on January 14 to find her 6-week-old infant’s lifeless body in the floor, while her 3-year-old son stood over the baby with a fidget spinner toy in his hand. She told police her son, who reportedly has ADHD, had hit, kicked, and slapped the baby on previous occasions.
She also said she knew the baby would have gotten hurt if her son tried to pick her up, as he didn’t know how to support the baby’s head.
“She stated how bad her 3-year-old has acted in the past by describing him hitting Acelyn with objects, slapping, biting, kicking and spitting,” Detective C. West wrote in an affidavit.
The infant, Acelyn, was taken to Cook Children’s Medical Center with injuries so significant that a doctor said there was no way a 3-year-old could cause that much damage. The physician claimed it was “one of the worst skull fractures he has ever seen.”
While the infant was in the hospital, Murry reportedly returned back to the family apartment before authorities had the opportunity to secure the scene. When confronted by police, gave different reasons why she went back to the residence.
Murry also began changing her story of what happened on the day in question after learning a physician questioned her version of events. Further, a doctor who interviewed the toddler and watched him play with a doll added that the boy “did not demonstrate the dexterity or force to cause the extensive head injuries,” according to FOX 4.
“Halle had access to her apartment prior to officers being able to secure the scene,” West wrote in the affidavit. “It wasn’t until after she realized her initial story about how the injuries may have happened were questioned, that she gave inconsistent statements as to what she actually did at the apartment prior to officers securing the scene.”
A drug test carried out by Child Protective Services on January 17 reportedly indicated both Murry and the 3-year-old both tested positive for cocaine.
Baby Acelyn’s cause of death was listed as a homicide due to fractures caused by multiple blows to the head.
Murry is being held at the Tarrant County Jail on a capital murder charge.
The story continues to develop. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional details become available.
[Feature Photo: Halle Murry/Police Handout]
