Background: The area of the 15000 block of Estate Drive in Athens, Alabama (Google Maps). Inset: Morgan Thornton (Limestone County Sheriff”s Office).
A woman could face the death penalty after Alabama authorities say she beat her infant son to death in a case filled with “horror.”
Morgan Thornton, 35, was originally charged with aggravated child abuse after Limestone County Sheriff’s Office deputies found her infant son “severely beaten,” court records show. That charge was later upgraded to capital murder after the child “tragically” died.
Deputies arrived at the 15000 block of Estate Drive in Athens just after midnight on Friday after receiving a “medical call involving an infant,” according to the sheriff’s department.
While the child initially showed “no signs of life,” first responders were able to find a pulse and brought the baby to a hospital, the sheriff’s office said.
It didn’t take long for investigators to identify Thornton as a suspect – allegedly the person “responsible for the injuries.” She was arrested on Friday. Law enforcement said she “appeared to be intoxicated at the time,” and they obtained her blood sample.
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Thornton seemed to be confused about what had transpired, if her words in court and to Huntsville-based NBC affiliate WAFF are to be believed.
When the judge overseeing the case told her during a bond hearing on Friday that she was being charged for the death of her son, she reportedly replied, “I don’t understand.” The defendant was subsequently denied bond.
Noah Cowell, a reporter for WAFF, asked the accused woman if she remembered anything about the night in question.
“I put my son to bed,” she replied. “I swaddled him and put him to bed at 7 o’clock, and then something happened.”
“Do you remember anything after that?” the reporter continued.
“Tried to give him CPR,” she said. “That’s all.”
A neighbor cited by the TV station said they were in a state of disbelief over the allegations against the mother.
“Please keep this family and everyone who responded to this heartbreaking scene in your prayers,” Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said in a statement.”While the outcome is devastating, I’m incredibly proud of our deputies, firefighters, EMTs, hospital staff, and DHR workers who did absolutely everything in their power to save this innocent child. Their dedication and compassion in the face of such horror reflect the very best of public service.”
Thornton is scheduled for her next court appearance on Tuesday. Capital murder convictions may be punishable by death in Alabama.
