Alabama Mother Charged With Capital Murder After Infant’s Death

Morgan Skye Thornton, a Limestone County woman from Athens, Alabama, has been charged with capital murder following the death of her severely beaten infant child. Deputies responded to a medical emergency early on August 1, 2025, finding the infant unresponsive; life-saving efforts temporarily restored a pulse before the child died at the hospital. Thornton appeared intoxicated at the time of her arrest, initially facing aggravated child abuse charges that were later upgraded to capital murder. Authorities obtained search warrants for the residence and a blood sample to aid the investigation. Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin praised the dedication and efforts of deputies, firefighters, EMTs, hospital staff, and Department of Human Resources workers involved in the response, while asking for prayers for the family and responders. Thornton remains in custody pending an Aniah’s Law hearing, with prosecutors seeking to deny bond.