OGDEN, Utah, May 16, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A former Roy daycare owner charged with first-degree child abuse homicide in the 2014 death of an infant boy in her care on Tuesday was found guilty.
Tisha Lynn Morley, 36, was the owner of Tots & Tykes Daycare, which she ran out of her home. She was charged in the death of Lincoln Penland, whom Roy Police officials say was found “cold and unresponsive” on Feb. 19, 2014, when his father picked him up from the facility.
Lincoln was taken to McKay-Dee Hospital, where a doctor determined he had a severe skull fracture and brain trauma, likely caused by either shaking or impact-inflicted trauma, according to information from the Roy Police Department.
The baby was transported to Primary Children’s Hospital, where he died nine days later after an MRI determined he had no brain activity. The State Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as homicide.
Morley has said she did not hurt the child, and suggested the injury was caused by the baby’s 3-year-old brother and other toddlers who were alone with Lincoln when she left to sanitize another area. Lincoln was in his third day at the facility when his injuries were caused.
The 11-day trial ended with jury deliberation that lasted a little more than four hours. Morley could be sentenced to as much as life in prison. Morley’s sentencing is scheduled for June 20.
