OGDEN, Utah -- A day care owner who was arrested last week for child abuse homicide made her first appearance in court Tuesday morning.
Prosecutors read the formal charge to 33-year-old Tisha Lynn Morley in 2nd District Court.
According to Roy police, Morley was the person responsible for caring for the children at Tots & Tykes Daycare, a facility she operated out of her Roy home.
The investigation leading to Morley's arrest started after a father came to pick up his 8-month-old and 3-year-old sons from Morley's day care facility on February 19. According to Roy police, the 8-month-old was cold and unresponsive when his father arrived.
“That child was taken to a local hospital. In evaluating the child, they determined there was a head fracture that occurred, that clearly required medical attention," said Bryce Weir, a public information officer for the Roy Police Department.
The boy was then taken by helicopter to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Laek City for further treatment. He died of his injuries on February 28.
According to Roy police, a medical examiner determined the baby's death was caused by a blunt force injury of the head.
The Utah Department of Health revoked Morley's license on March 10, but Roy police said she continued to operate her day care facility afterward.
A 3-year-old child sustained an acute fracture of the tibia while at Tots & Tykes on March 27, a press release from Roy PD said.
Morley ignored FOX 13's attempt to speak with her outside of the courtroom Tuesday. She is due back in court on May 20 for a preliminary hearing.
