Boyfriend charged with murder of 1-year-old

LELAND, NC (WECT) - A mother's boyfriend has been charged with murder, after her 1-year-old child died Saturday due to injuries sustained from an abuse incident.

According to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, 33-year-old Angel Marie Ray, the mother of 1-year-old Brayden Ray, left the baby in the care of 35-year-old Albert David Morgan, her boyfriend, Thursday, Jan. 8 while she was at a doctor's appointment.

Detectives responded to a call from New Hanover Regional Medical Center where they determined that Ray's child was being treated for injuries consistent with abuse.

After Brunswick County Sheriff's officials met with District Attorney Jon David, it was determined Morgan would face first degree murder charges. Morgan was also charged on Jan. 15 with felony intentional child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. The child died from those injuries Jan. 17.

Morgan remains in the custody of the Brunswick County Detention Facility and was given no bond for the charge of first degree murder.

Angel Marie Ray, 33, of Leland, who was charged with felony accessory after the fact of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury in the same incident, remains in the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $750,000 bond.

WARNING: The details of the arrest warrant may be disturbing to some.

Arrest warrants for Morgan say that Brayden had multiple abrasions and contusions about the face, neck and body along with head trauma resulting in bleeding in the brain.

Detectives with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit arrested Morgan and charged him with felony intentional child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. He is being held in the Brunswick County Jail under a $1 million bond.

Arrest warrants for Ray say she knew Morgan had committed the felony, and knowingly assisted his attempt to escape arrest by providing false information to authorities.

Detectives also arrested Ray and charged her with felony accessory after the fact (of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury). She was also placed in the Brunswick County Jail under a $200,000 bond. Ray's bond has since been increased to $750,000.

Brayden was transported to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he later died Saturday morning.

Authorities say the investigation is still ongoing, but more charges could be filed pending an autopsy.

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