Father Indicted In Beating Of Twin Toddlers

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Derran Morris, 23, was arraigned Sept. 20 on an indictment before Judge Helen Blackwood relating to the beating death of two-year-old Addison Turner and the severe beating of her twin, two year old Annalyn Turner.

He was charged with:

• one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class “A-1” Felony,
• one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• one count of Assault in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony,
• two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, class “D” Felonies

Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. said at 5:10 p.m. July 5, Morris and the mother of the victims, Monique Turner, walked into Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital carrying Addison and Annalyn Turner in their arms. They told reception that Addison was not breathing.

Upon examination, it was determined that Addison was not breathing, had no pulse and was cold to the touch. Doctors and nurses attempted to revive her for approximately half an hour. She was declared dead at 5:35 p.m. At 5:40 p.m., Mount Vernon Police arrived at the hospital after they were informed of a suspicious death by emergency room staff.

While the resuscitation effort of Addison was going on, a triage nurse noticed that Annalyn, who was still being carried in Morris's arms, appeared to be unwell. Annalyn was rushed to Bronx Montefiore Medical Center by ambulance. Upon examination, doctors there determined that Annalyn had suffered life threatening abdominal trauma. Mount Vernon Detectives were notified of their findings.

A report by the Medical Examiner’s Office states that Addison's cause of death was blunt force trauma to her body. Annalyn, who survived, required weeks of hospitalization.

Morris was placed under arrest on July 7.

Police allege he beat them while their mother, who was three months pregnant, was at a doctor's appointment. They had recently moved in with him due to lead paint poisoning in their Bridgeport, CT apartment.

His next court date is Oct. 11. If convicted he faces 25 years to life in state prison.

This case is being prosecuted by First Deputy District Attorney Patricia Murphy of the Superior Court Trial Division and Assistant District Attorney Mary Clark-DiRusso of the Special Prosecutions Division.