INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Two women charged in the death of an infant at their Speedway daycare pleaded not guilty Monday.
Jacqueline Murray was the co-owner of Miracles and Blessings Daycare in Speedway. Karen Tharpe was one of her workers.
Both entered a plea of not guilty in court Monday morning to the felony charge of neglect of a dependent causing death. If convicted, the two could be sentenced to a minimum prison term of 20 years.
According to court documents, Murray knowingly left Tharpe responsible for the care of 36 children in three separate rooms for well over an hour. Prosecutors said ten-month-old Taliah Brigham died from strangulation when she was placed in a car seat in the infant room and improperly buckled.
The two will be back in court for their preliminary hearing on October 11.
