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Charges In Death Of Montco Infant Upgraded To Murder

By Brad Segall and Dray Clark

HATBORO, Pa. (CBS) -- Authorities in Montgomery County say a 28-year-old Upper Moreland has been charged with murdering his two-month-old daughter over the weekend.

Edward Doyle was initially facing a single charge of child endangerment (see previous story), but now prosecutors have added murder charges.

Doyle was arraigned on the new charges Tuesday morning.

Makayla Doyle was pronounced dead at a local hospital on Sunday morning after medics found her unresponsive in her Hatboro apartment.

According to court papers, Doyle spent Saturday night drinking heavily at a birthday celebration for a friend, came home and played cards, and then argued with his wife at another man's apartment.

He told police he went back home and the baby was crying in her swing. He told investigators he cradled her in his arms, but tripped over the swing and fell on top of her.

Doyle told police he put the infant back in the swing, but found she wasn't breathing several hours later.

But prosecutors say some of her injuries are inconsistent with that story. According to investigators, she had multiple broken ribs, skull fractures and injuries to her nose consistent with pinching her airway.

"While he was in that intoxicated and angry state, he caused significant injuries to his child and ended her life. And then took steps to conceal that," Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman said at a Tuesday morning news conference.

Ferman says Doyle is now charged with third-degree murder, child endangerment and lying to authorities.

"You have a man who was under the influence of alcohol, drunk and angry, and he is now caring for his two infant children," Ferman said today, "and that is a recipe for disaster. And tragically, we have seen that disaster unfold."

Ferman says Doyle's wife has not been charged and is cooperating with authorities.

Doyle has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 5th. He is currently being held without bail.

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