Father arrested after death of 3 month old in Morehouse pleads not guilty
MOREHOUSE, Mo. (KBSI) – A Morehouse man facing several charges after the death of his infant pleaded not guilty.
Zachary Scott Murphy faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child first degree with death of a child, manufacturing a controlled substance and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child first degree by creating substantial risk.
He entered a not guilty plea in court on Thursday, August 29.
New Madrid County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Spruce Street in Morehouse at 5:53 p.m. on August 25 for a report of a 3 month old not breathing.
Deputies and EMS and Rescue responded to the scene to find the infant was dead.
The autopsy of the infant concluded that there was no trauma leading to the death.
Murphy has a bond set at $50,000.
During the investigation deputies seized a marijuana grow operation including 56 plants in various stages of growth inside the home.
At the time of call, Murphy had left the scene but was found on August 26.
The investigation continues.
The New Madrid County Coroner’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Sikeston Department of Public Safety assisted the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.
