Father allegedly beats 2-year-old to death, critically injures twin sister

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. -- (WPIX) -- A father is in jail for allegedly beating his 2-year-old daughter to death and critically injuring her twin sister, who was also repeatedly punched, officials said Friday.

Derran Morris, 23, “repeatedly and forcefully” struck Addison and Annalynn Turner on Wednesday between noon and 5 p.m. at a home on South Third Avenue near East Fifth Street, according to a felony complaint from city of Mount Vernon.

Morris is the twin girls' father, lohud.com reports.

The blunt force trauma caused multiple contusions, a lacerated liver, mesentery contusions and severe internal bleeding, according to the felony complaint.

Addison died as a result, and Annalynn is in critical condition.

The children and their mother moved in with Morris and his father one month before the brutal assault, because they were suffering from lead poisoning contracted of their Bridgeport, Connecticut home, lohud.com reports.

The mother, who is 3 months pregnant, was away from the home for a doctor's appointment Wednesday when her children were attacked, and repeatedly punched in their abdomens, according to lohud.com.

Morris was arrested and faces second-degree murder and first-degree assault charges, the felony complaint states.