Texas Dad Charged With Capital Murder In Death Of Daughter

[Anthony]

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Texas police have charged a Watauga father with capital murder for allegedly killing his 2-year-old daughter.

Authorities say 31-year-old Anthony Michael Sanders allegedly attacked and suffocated his daughter, Ellie, on Dec. 12, 2005. Sanders had been watching Ellie and his 5-year-old son at the family’s Watauga home day while his wife was at an art show, according to authorities.

According to an arrest-warrant affidavit, their son told his parents that his little sister was asleep on their bed and she would not wake up.

“He tried to wake her up and she wouldn’t wake up. He went in there and told [his parents] that she was sleeping and wouldn’t wake up,†said Sgt. Jason Babcock.

The suspect went to check on his daughter and told his wife to call 911 because she wasn’t breathing, according to the police report.

Severe bruising on the victims face, head and body led police to suspect foul play. Also, doctors found a pair of bite marks on her back, the affidavit says. Doctors said the bite marks appeared to be made by an adult.

Police believe the suspect may have placed his hands over her nose and mouth until she died. They believe the toddler may have been disrupting him as he played computer games.

“He’s very involved in computer gaming..That’s something he did constantly,†Watauga police Sgt. Jason Babcock said. “She may have interrupted him somehow.â€

Sanders told authorities that he had no explanation for the girls injuries. He told police he had checked on his daughter half an hour before his wife came home. He told police that she “was up watching television in the bedroom laughing,†according to police. Sanders admitted to being the only adult home at the time his daughter was injured.

Doctors told authorities that the victim had many recent injuries. Including petechial hemorrhaging in and around her eyes, commonly caused by asphyxiation. As well as bruising around the eyes, according to the affidavit. The blood behind her ear, doctor told police, could have been caused by trauma.

“Just a fit of rage-type deal — anger,†said Babcock. “It’s been a tough one for us to deal with working it and having to wait for the results,†said Babcock.

Child Protective Services took custody of her brother. He has been placed in the care of a relative.

Sanders is currently in Tarrant County jail, where he is being held on $1 million bail.