Sandy man pleads guilty to child abuse homicide

The Sandy man who police say hit an infant girl's head against a hard surface several times pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree felony child abuse homicide.

Edd Keith Morgan, 43, was originally charged with murder, a first-degree felony, and child-abuse homicide, a second-degree felony. Prosecutors dismissed the first charge in exchange for Morgan's guilty plea to the second.

The plea saved Morgan from a possible life sentence. He now faces up to 15 years in prison and $5,000 in fines when he is sentenced May 7.

According to charges, Morgan and his wife, Rochelle Morgan, were in the process of adopting Camryn, who was born Aug. 8.

Charges state Rochelle Morgan left the baby in Edd Morgan's charge through the night of Dec. 17. Rochelle Morgan went to bed about 10 p.m., charges state.

The next morning, Dec. 18, Rochelle Morgan noticed the baby was "listless and had a bad color," according to charges.

Rochelle Morgan took the baby to Alta View Hospital. Camryn was then airlifted to Primary Children's Medical Center.

Edd Morgan allegedly told his wife the baby had bruises on her forehead because they had bumped heads while he was picking her up.

Staff at Primary Children's Medical Center overheard Edd Morgan say the baby had been fussy and he had gotten frustrated with her, charges state.