LOGAN — A Nibley couple was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated murder and aggravated child abuse nearly nine months after the death of their 18-month-old daughter, Ruby Murray.
Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Mikelshan Bartschi said Mitchell Murray and his wife, Carrie Murray, were booked into the Cache County Jail on first-degree felony aggravated murder and second-degree felony aggravated child abuse charges. Follow-up investigative steps conducted by deputies, identified a severe pattern of neglect leading up to the infant’s death.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, the investigation began after Carrie Murray, a registered nurse, called emergency dispatch on March 19 to report her child was “beyond help.” Doctors later determined the infant died of dehydration and malnutrition, weighing only slightly over 17 pounds at the time of her death.
The little girl was found lying in a crib in a bedroom where there was a space heater running. Deputies reported the bed was “very dirty,” and had several sippy cups, parts of premade waffles, and other old pieces of food inside. The crib was covered with a mesh canopy to allegedly prevent the child from climbing out.
Investigators recovered data from baby monitors and surveillance cameras. In the four days preceding her death, the 18-month-old was outside of her crib for a total of only six hours and 15 minutes and was only with another human for just under 50 minutes. Her diaper was changed only six times during that 96-hour period.
The parents allegedly told investigators that Ruby spent most of her time in her crib, where they would place food and drink. They also stated they played “loud rock/pop music” in the room, which was found to be noticeably warmer than the rest of the home. The child was wearing long-sleeve and footed pajamas.
When questioned by investigators, Mitchell Murray reportedly became emotional, acknowledging the child’s inability to care for herself. However, Carrie Murray allegedly stated she felt “no guilt over this,” suggesting the death “was her time.”
Bartschi said the sheriff’s office wanted to extend its “deepest and most heartfelt condolences to all individuals affected by this tragic case.”
According to jail records, Mitchell Murray and Carrie Murray are both being held, pending arraignment on formal charges in Logan’s 1st District Court. Deputies have requested the couple be held without bail, claiming they constitute a substantial danger to the community or could flee the area if released.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.