By Jamel Major - bio | email
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - A Mid-South mother was charged Friday with drugging her daughter twice, ultimately killing the 11-month-old girl.
Memphis Police believe 30-year-old Angela Murphree gave her daughter Methodone. Investigators said they now want to know why.
Murphree is charged with murder in the first and second degree in connection with the death of her daughter, Madison Murphree.
"It's just a sad situation," said Cedric Davis with the Tunica County Sheriff's Department.
On November 29, the Shelby County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the child's death a homicide as a result of the toxic effects of Methodone.
"Once we were notified, our initial response was to get out to the hospital to determine the condition of the child," said Davis. "And to see what we could find out from medical personnel there."
Davis said Murphree is from Tunica County, Mississippi.
According to an affidavit, on October 21, Madison Murphree was admitted to LeBohneur Children's Hospital. A routine drug screening showed the presence of Methodone in the child's system.
LeBonheur personnel performed two additional drug screenings on the baby between October 21 and November 2. Both tests came back negative.
On November 3, Madison Murphree died at the hospital. LeBonheur performed another drug screen and the results were positive.
Investigators are still trying to determine how the drug made it into the baby's system.
"This is the first incident of this type that we've seen here," said Davis.
Angela Murphree is being held in the Shelby County jail.
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