D.A. Lodges Murder Charges in Toddler’s Death

Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler has filed first-degree murder charges against Adrian Morgan Allen, who accused of torturing and killing his girlfriend’s 18-month-old daughter.

Allen had been babysitting the child and her two sisters at the when she sustained severe head trauma.

At a press conference in the , Heckler called the incident a “terrible, terrible tragedy.”

Heckler said first-degree charges were appropriate because the victim was under 12 and evidence of torture exists.

He said the child was abused for "weeks if not months" prior to this incident. She had broken ribs, a broken arm and leg, cigarette lighter burns, a bite mark on her arm and bruising all over her body, according to an autopsy conducted by forensic pathologist Ian Hood.

Hood said the cause of death was the head injury and the manner of death was homicide.

According to Heckler, after the fatal trauma occurred Allen left the injured child on the floor having seizures for several hours before calling her mother.

Allen, 27, of Camden, was scheduled to be arraigned at 3 p.m. He’s been lodged in Bucks County Prison since his Feb. 27 arrest.

The child’s mother, Nakia Adams was out of town when the incident occurred. Adams’ other children were removed from the home by Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services. Bensalem Public Safety Director Fred Harran said they were staying with their grandmother.

When asked if charges would be filed against Adams, Heckler said “the investigation is ongoing.”