Delaware parents arrested after 'severely malnourished' infant found dead

MAGNOLIA, Del. (TCD) -- A 22-year-old woman and her 24-year-old fiancé were arrested and charged with murder after their 5-month-old daughter was found dead at their home.

According to Delaware State Police, troopers went to Angel Toran and Ny’Jier Murphy’s residence on the 400 block of Lambert Drive to conduct a welfare check on their infant daughter. The Division of Family Services reportedly received information that there was a likelihood the infant had died at home, but the death was not reported to authorities.

The statement says Toran and Murphy were not home when troopers got there but arrived soon after. Delaware State Police officials reportedly noticed a concealed Glock 19 9mm handgun in a holster, which Murphy does not have a permit to carry.

Delaware State Police’s Homicide and Major Crimes Unit began looking into the infant’s death. During their investigation, they reportedly learned Toran gave birth to a daughter in April 2021, but it was never reported to the state. The girl died in mid-September and she was reportedly buried on their property.

Officials exhumed the little girl’s body on Oct. 11. According to Delaware State Police, the girl "was determined to be severely malnourished and succumbed to medical issues associated with malnourishment."

Murphy and Toran reportedly responded to Delaware State Police Troop 3 on Feb. 10 and were notified of their arrest warrant. Murphy reportedly engaged in a "brief struggle" with officials before his arrest. Toran was charged with murder by abuse or neglect first degree recklessly cause death of child, and first-degree conspiracy. Her bail is set at $260,000 cash.

Murphy is charged with murder by abuse or neglect first degree reckless cause death of child, first-degree conspiracy, and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. His bail is set at $270,000 cash.

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