Cache County couple pleads guilty to homicide in child abuse death

NIBLEY, Cache County — A Cache County couple accused of committing a "severe pattern of neglect" that led to their toddler's death pleaded guilty last week to child abuse homicide.

Mitchell Chesnut Murray, 31, and Carrie Marie Murray, 32, were both charged in 1st District Court in December with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, and aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony.

Their 18-month-old daughter, Ruby Marie Murray, died on March 19 due to complications from malnutrition and dehydration, according to the charges.

The charges alleged the Murrays showed "a depraved indifference to human life" by "unreasonably subjecting (Ruby) to excessive heat, darkness, solitary confinement, or sleep deprivation; and conduct that resulted in starvation, dehydration, failure to thrive, or malnutrition, that jeopardized her life."

On July 2, the Murrays pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of child abuse homicide and the aggravated child abuse charge, both second-degree felonies.

'Severe pattern of neglect'

The Cache County Sheriff's Office said its detectives "identified a severe pattern of neglect leading up to the infant's death."

The child weighed approximately 17 pounds at the time of her death. Her mother told police she found her daughter deceased in her crib, according to court documents.

Using baby monitors and surveillance cameras, detectives learned that during the last four days of Ruby's life, she was only out of her crib for a little more than six hours, and "the total time another human being was identified as being present with the child was 49 minutes and 15 seconds," according to the sheriff's office.

During eight hours on March 14, Carrie and Mitchell Murray had 36 minutes of interaction with Ruby in her bedroom, gave her food once and changed her diaper once, according to the affidavit. On March 17, the child was only out of the crib for five minutes total, for two diaper changes.

When she wasn't in her crib, footage showed Ruby was largely left alone on her bedroom floor, police said. During the morning hours of March 19, Ruby was "observed moving and making noises throughout the night including crying, whimpering and gasping," the charges state.

Ruby's crib, which had a mesh cover to prevent a child from climbing out, was "very dirty with old pieces of food," the charges said. Her room was also "noticeably warmer than the rest of the home," due to a space heater running nearby.

When questioned by detectives, Carrie Murray said the last time she saw her daughter before her death was on March 17, about 3 a.m., but did not see her on March 18 due to work.

"Carrie was asked by investigators about (Ruby's) food and water intake and were informed (Ruby) was provided a sippy cup in the morning and the evening. Carrie also informed investigators that (Ruby) was usually fed waffles for all of her meals, and she typically ate them in her crib because they are not table people and (Ruby) never liked someone to feed her," the affidavit says.

Carrie Murray also admitted to not viewing the baby monitor app in months and said she had adjusted the settings to get less notifications, according to investigators.

Mitchell Murray told police he works from home and is on his laptop a lot, both working and playing games on his PC when he is not working.

"Mitchell explained what he termed 'crib days.' He explained that crib days were days where (Ruby) remained in her crib all day while he worked. He claimed this would occur one to two days per week," but he claimed he would check on her two or three times during the day, the charges said.

Investigators say Ruby was never taken out of her crib on March 18.

"The total interaction Carrie, Mitchell and (their son) had with (Ruby) on March 18 was 49 seconds. (Her) diaper was not changed on March 18," according to the charges.

Detectives said Ruby did not exhibit normal sleeping patterns and didn't seem to be able to differentiate between day and night. Loud music was also consistently played in Ruby's room all night, which the parents claim was to help her sleep.

Carrie Murray told police in an interview she assumed Ruby had died from SIDS.

"Carrie stated 'It was her time I guess.' She further stated 'I feel guilt really strong — I feel no guilt over this,'" the charges said.

Mitchell Murray got emotional when police confronted him about the treatment of the child and the lack of time spent with her, according to the charges. He then told police "it should never have happened," the charges state.

The two are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 11. They face terms of one to 15 years in prison for each charge, but the judge will decide if they will be served concurrently or consecutively.

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