A Utah couple has been sentenced to prison after their 18-month-old daughter died from dehydration and malnutrition while left for long periods in a dirty crib. Carrie Marie Murray and Mitchell Chestnut Murray, both 32, of Nibley in Cache County, each received two consecutive terms of one to 15 years following their guilty pleas to child abuse homicide and aggravated child abuse.

The child, Ruby Marie Murray, was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in her crib on the morning of March 19, 2025. Court documents describe a pattern of severe neglect in the days leading up to her death. Investigators said Ruby spent the vast majority of her final four days confined to the crib, with only about six hours spent outside it. On the day before she died, total interaction with her by the parents and another child in the home amounted to less than one minute.

When deputies arrived, they found the toddler in long-sleeved pajamas, a sleep sack, and several blankets inside a room heated to about 77 degrees by a space heater. Her body temperature was recorded at 83 degrees. The crib contained multiple sippy cups and a large quanтιтy of waffle pieces. Under the mattress, officers discovered additional trash, wrappers, and more food particles. Ruby weighed only 17 pounds at the time of her death.

Mitchell Murray described what he called “crib days,” periods when the child remained in the crib for the entire day while he worked, occurring one or two times per week. He claimed he checked on her occasionally. The night before Ruby died, she was heard crying and gasping for air. Rather than attending to her, the parents played loud music to cover the sounds. When they discovered her unresponsive the next morning, they did not attempt life-saving measures, even though Carrie Murray is a trained registered nurse.

In statements to investigators, Carrie Murray said she believed it was “her time” and later remarked that she felt no guilt over the death. Utah District Judge Spencer Walsh described the level of neglect as appalling and shocking during the sentencing hearing.

The Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the cause of death as dehydration and malnutrition. The couple originally faced more serious charges, including aggravated murder, but those were reduced as part of a plea agreement in July 2026. They were formally sentenced in mid-September 2026 and received credit for time already served.

The case has drawn attention for the extreme indifference shown toward a young child who depended entirely on her caregivers for basic needs. Authorities emphasized that the prolonged isolation and failure to provide adequate food, water, and attention led directly to the fatal outcome.

Sources : New York Post