Limestone County Woman Charged with Capital Murder in Infant’s Death

A Limestone County woman has been charged with capital murder following the death of her infant child. Authorities responded to a medical call involving an infant just after 12:30 a.m. Friday at a residence in the 15000 block of Estate Drive in Athens.

Deputies arrived to find an unresponsive infant who had sustained severe injuries consistent with a beating. The child showed no signs of life at the scene, but emergency responders were able to develop a pulse before transporting the infant to a hospital.

Investigators later identified the child’s mother, Morgan Thornton, as the person responsible for the infant’s injuries. Search warrants were executed for the home, and a blood sample was taken from Thornton, who reportedly appeared to be intoxicated at the time.

Initially charged with aggravated child abuse, Thornton’s charges were upgraded to capital murder after the infant died from the injuries. She is currently being held in the Limestone County Jail pending a bond hearing.