Morganton Man Now Charged With Murder Of Child. Mother Implicated And Charged As Well

A man previously charged with child abuse in connection to the death of a child has now been charged with murder. The child’s mother has now been charged in the case as well. The Hudson Police Department released an update Monday night.

22-year-old Thomas Lee Bryant of Morganton was arrested November 4th by Hudson Police Officers. He was initially charged with felony child abuse inflicting serious injury. Officers with the Hudson Police Department responded to a residence on Hickman Avenue where an assault involving a four-year-old child took place.

The investigation determined that the juvenile had sustained serious injuries allegedly inflicted by an adult male who had been entrusted with babysitting the child. The victim was initially transported to a local hospital and was later transferred to a regional trauma center, where he later passed away.

It was determined that Bryant was under a court-ordered condition of release prohibiting any contact with the child. Despite this, Bryant was asked to care for the child by the child’s mother, Danaysha Alexandra Booker, while she was at work that morning. During the incident and subsequent investigation, Booker provided false information in an effort to conceal the circumstances of who was caring for the child. These actions contributed to a delay in the child receiving first aid.

On Monday, Booker was arrested and charged with felony child abuse. She was jailed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $1 million bond.

Bryant has now been charged with murder in connection to the death of the four-year-old victim. He is now being held in the Caldwell County Detention Center without bond.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY