A 2-year-old child was found dead on June 28, 2022, in a home in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, after deputies were called for a report of an unresponsive child. The child had been dead for several hours before a relative called police. An investigation revealed the child had suffered months of physical abuse and medical neglect at the hands of the biological mother, Laporsha Trishae Murray, 31. The child had injuries in multiple stages of healing, including blunt force head trauma, bruising to the ribs, injuries to the spine, swelling to the brain, and evidence of not eating or drinking. Murray was arrested approximately 11 months later and charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse. Her bond was denied.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The news article describes multiple inflicted injuries: "The 2-year-old had injuries in multiple stages of healing, blunt force head trauma, bruising to the ribs, injuries to the spine and swelling to the brain." These injuries, in the context of a felony murder and first-degree child abuse charge, clearly indicate inflicted injury.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
The news article states: "There was also evidence the child had not been drinking or eating," indicating deprivation of food and water consistent with starvation and dehydration.
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
The news article explicitly states: "This child had suffered multiple months of medical neglect and abuse," as said by Washtenaw County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Lou Danner during the arraignment.
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
The news article states the child had "blunt force head trauma" and "swelling to the brain." While the specific terms "shaken baby syndrome" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, blunt force head trauma resulting in brain swelling in the context of ongoing child abuse constitutes abusive head trauma.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
The news article describes months-long intentional abuse and deprivation. The child had "injuries in multiple stages of healing," "blunt force head trauma, bruising to the ribs, injuries to the spine and swelling to the brain," evidence the child "had not been drinking or eating," and "multiple months of medical neglect and abuse." The magistrate stated: "This was continued behavior that ultimately resulted in a child's death... This was much more ongoing and intentional." The combination of sustained deprivation of food/water with repeated deliberate physical violence over months constitutes prolonged, deliberately cruel treatment beyond typical abuse or neglect.
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
The news article identifies the accused as the child's biological mother: "Murray, a mother of three, is responsible for the 2022 death of her youngest child, age 2." She was charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The news article states: "Murray was arrested on May 30 and arraigned two days later." She was "charged with felony murder and first-degree child abuse."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article notes a significant delay between the child's death (June 28, 2022) and the mother's arrest (May 30, approximately 11 months later). The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office spokesperson explained: "It took so long based on the nature of the case and the ongoing evidence being gathered, but it's something that's been worked on ever since the 2-year-old died back in June of 2022." Additionally, the article states that "the child was dead for several hours before a relative called police," raising questions about household awareness and delayed reporting.
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.