Parents arrested, accused of ‘severe pattern of neglect’ after child’s death

SALT LAKE CITY — A man and woman were arrested in Cache County after their 18-month-old child died of malnutrition and dehydration in March, authorities announced on Thursday.

The Cache County Sheriff’s Office identified the parents as Mitchell and Carrie Murray, and said their child died at a residence in Nibley on March 19. The sheriff’s office said the investigation began immediately afterward.

“Follow-up investigative steps conducted by the Cache County Sheriff’s Office identified a severe pattern of neglect leading up to the infant’s death,” the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities were able to use data from baby monitors and surveillance cameras to reconstruct a timeline of the four days leading up to the child’s death. The sheriff’s office said for those 96 hours, “The total time another human being was identified as being present with the child was 49 minutes and 15 seconds.”

Investigators also found that the child was out of the crib for a combined six hours and 15 minutes.

“The findings of the medical examiner confirmed that the infant died due to complications arising from malnutrition and dehydration,” the sheriff’s office said. “Based on these facts and the medical findings, Mitchell and Carrie Murray were taken into custody.”

The Murrays were both booked into the Cache County Jail on accusations of child abuse and homicide.