Dad Charged with Third-Degree Murder in Child's Death

The Upper Moreland man accused of killing his infant daughter was charged this morning with third-degree murder.

Edward Doyle, of the 2500 block of Horsham Road, was arrested on child endangerment Sunday, but court officials upgraded the incident to a murder charge after the autopsy of Makayla Doyle was completed on Monday.

Doctor Isidore Mihalakis, a forensic pathologist, performed an autopsy on Makayla and found multiple broken ribs, skull fractures and injuries to her nose consistent with pinching the nasal airway, according to a press release.

Doyle told police he was carrying his two-month old daughter after a night of drinking when he tripped and fell on top of the infant.

Mihalakis watched a video in which Doyle demonstrated how he fell while holding Makayla, but the doctor said the demonstration was inconsistent with the injuries sustained to Makayla’s skull. Mihalakis ruled the death a homicide.

At a press conference Tuesday, Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman and Upper Moreland Police Chief Alex Levy announced they will charge Doyle with with third-degree murder, endangering the Welfare of children and unsworn falsification to authorities.

That last charge comes from the inconsistencies in Doyle's story to police and the autopsy results. Doyle, who stands 6-foot-1-inch and weighs 275 pounds, told police he should not have been caring for his daughter “because [he had] drank too drunk.”

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 5 at 10 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Paul N. Leo in Hatboro.

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Dad Charged in Death of 2-Month-Old Daughter