King County prosecutors have charged a father with second-degree domestic violence murder following the death of his 4-month-old daughter, who suffered fatal brain injuries while in his care.
Dontaevian Marques Murray was charged on Friday and is expected in court on Wednesday for his arraignment. In court documents, prosecutors highlighted the severity of the infant’s brain damage, describing it as comparable to falling from a multi-story building or being thrown from a vehicle during a crash.
The incident began in the early morning hours of September 4, when Seattle firefighters responded to a call on South Findlay Street shortly before 3:00 a.m. regarding a 4-month-old girl who wasn’t breathing.
She was taken to Seattle Children’s Hospital, where medical staff discovered significant brain swelling, bleeding around her brain, and extensive hemorrhaging across multiple layers of both eyes. Social workers contacted the police after doctors concluded the injuries were consistent with abusive trauma, finding no underlying medical condition or accidental fall to explain the damage.
Murray, who identified himself as the primary caregiver of the child, told detectives that he noticed the baby had blue lips, pale skin, and irregular breathing shortly before 3:00 a.m.
He stated that one eye was partially closed while the other remained open, with neither eye responding. He admitted to picking her up and shaking or bouncing her before taking her to his mother, who then began CPR while they dialed 911.
While Murray mentioned that the baby had vomited earlier that day, he maintained she seemed fine afterward, asserting there were no accidents or falls and that he had not felt angry or frustrated.
However, medical experts noted that symptoms from this level of trauma typically present almost immediately, indicating that the critical injuries occurred shortly before Murray sought help.
The baby later passed away on September 12.
Prosecutors have requested to hold Murray on a $2 million bail, citing that the violent shaking caused the infant’s fatal injuries and classifying him as a flight risk.
After the incident, law enforcement spent five days searching for Murray before locating him at his aunt’s residence. Although his aunt initially claimed that he was not there, a Seattle police SWAT team located him inside.
Following his arrest, Murray admitted he was aware authorities were searching for him.
Finally, prosecutors requested electronic home monitoring and a strict prohibition on any contact with minors, should he post bail.
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