Upper Moreland Man Pleads Guilty in Daughter's Death

An Upper Moreland man charged with third-degree murder in the 2013 death of his infant daughter pled guilty Monday.

Edward Doyle, 30, of the 2500 block of Horsham Road, will face between 12½ to 25 years in prison, CBS Philly reported. Doyle admitted that he caused his daughter, Makayla, to die after she suffered injuries and he failed to call for medical help, CBS Philly reported.

According to court documents, Doyle and his wife were drinking with friends on Feb. 24, 2013 in the hours before Makayla’s death. The couple began arguing and Doyle returned to their residence at Wellington Apartments. Doyle told police he removed his daughter from the baby swing after she began to cry.

Doyle told authorities he was walking with the baby in his arms and tripped, falling on top of her.

However, an autopsy conducted days later determined her fatal injuries—including multiple broken ribs, skull fractures and injuries to her nose consistent with pinching the nasal airway—were not consistent with Doyle’s explanation, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said.

Doyle said he checked on her at about 7:15 a.m. and called police because she was unresponsive, according to court documents. He later said she was “white as a ghost” and “limp,” prompting him to call 911.