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OGDEN — A Roy woman has been sentenced to prison after a jury found her guilty of child abuse homicide.
Tisha Lynn Morley, who turns 37 next week, was sentenced Wednesday to spend at least five years and up to life in prison for the death of 8-month-old Lincoln Penland.
Morley was caring for Lincoln and his 3-year-old brother at the Tots & Tykes Daycare, 2563 W. 3900 South, in February 2014 when prosecutors say she slammed the baby's head on a changing table in frustration. A medical examiner determined Lincoln died of blunt force trauma to the head and ruled his death a homicide.
Morley's attorney argued that the woman had left the 8-month-old alone with his other brother, and that the older child had injured the infant, according to the Associated Press.
Morley maintained she never hurt the baby, but a jury found her guilty of the charge in May.
The day care Morley ran was licensed at the time of Lincoln's death, but the certification was later revoked. She was previously employeed as a social worker for the Utah Division of Child and Family Services.
Related:
Roy day care owner found guilty in killing of 8-month-old boy
A jury found a Roy woman guilty of child abuse homicide Tuesday following a two-week trial in which prosecutors said she killed a baby boy at her in-home day care by slamming his head on a changing table in frustration.
