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VINEYARD — A Utah County father was charged Thursday with causing the horrific death of his 4-month-old daughter.
Alexzander Sean Berry, 29, of Vineyard, is charged in 4th District Court with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony.
On July 26, police say Berry "shook his 4-month-old daughter, struck her on top of the head with a closed fist, and squeezed her neck. (He) then violently struck the child's head against the corner of the child's crib and threw her into the crib," according to charging documents.
Alexis Menengwa Berry suffered "severe" skull fractures and a traumatic brain injury, the changes state, resulting in the baby's death.
When medical crews first began examining Alexis, they immediately noticed severe diaper rash. Utah County sheriff's deputies also noted in an arrest report that the home where Alexis lived smelled of urine and was "filthy."
"At the time of her death, the child had severe diaper rash, including blisters, and was sleeping in a room that reeked of urine. Also, the hallway outside the child's room smelled of urine and was littered with dog feces," charging documents allege.
When questioned by detectives, Berry "admitted to us that he had lost his temper and became infuriated with the infant. The baby had been crying because of the severe diaper rash and Alex could not take it any more," the arrest report states.
The girl's mother, Myra Jane Megan, 24, was charged Tuesday in 4th District Court with aggravated child abuse, a second-degree felony. Although she did not physically harm her daughter, prosecutors say she "was aware of several prior incidences during which the father committed similar acts of abuse upon the child, including 'punching' the baby," but failed to report the abuse to police, according to charging documents.
A judge has ordered that Berry remain in the Utah County Jail without the possibility of posting bail pending trial.
