Police are hunting a missing New Jersey dad after his lifeless 2-year-old daughter still strapped into her car seat, was found face down in a stream. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story.
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Arthur Morgan III was last seen on Monday, when he picked up little Tierra for a court-approved visit to see the movie “Happy Feet Two.â€
The father never brought the toddler home to her mother, and Tierra’s body was found a day later inside Shark River Park in Monmouth County, authorities said.
Kids playing in the park spotted a tiny hand sticking out of the water, and discovered the little girl lying face down, authorities said. Tierra was strapped tightly inside her car seat.
A warrant was issued for Morgan, 27, of Ocean Township, before officials announced Tierra’s death. At this point, the suspect is sought on charges of endangerment and custodial interference — although those counts could easily be upgraded.
The dead girl’s mother, Imani Benton, met with Morgan on Monday so the father could spend the day with their daughter.
Morgan was supposed to have Tierra home by 6 p.m., although the court order allowed him to keep the little girl until 9 p.m.
When Morgan and Tierra weren’t home by 10 p.m., the 24-year-old mother called police. Becton said she learned about her daughter’s death around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.
“The detectives came to my door and told me she was dead in the woods,†Benton told the Asbury Park Press. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t know what to think. I just don’t know.â€
