KEY POINTS

  • The abuse left the infant blind and with brain damage
  • The father testified that he fell on the baby and started beating her when she cried
  • The infant still suffers from seizures and requires several more surgeries

A Tennessee man has been found guilty of attempted first-degree murder for brutally abusing his 2-month-old infant to “the brink of death.”

On Wednesday, the 30-year-old father of the infant, Michael Fisher has been convicted of first-degree murder for beating his daughter, baby Addilyn in 2019. He faces a sentence of 25 years in prison. Fisher also pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse, which could add about 25 years more to his sentence if convicted, reported WTVF.

In January 2019, Fisher brutally beat Addilyn. Fisher then took her to a hospital, where he told nurses that the infant had fallen. Addilyn was bleeding, had a head wound and several broken bones when she reached the hospital. Upon further investigation, police arrested Fisher.

The baby was put into a medically induced coma after the abuse, she suffered several internal injuries, was left blind and has brain damage.

Fisher testified in court that he tripped while carrying Addilyn and fell on her. He accepted that he beat her out of anger when she started to cry but, did not intend to kill her.

On Monday, the emergency room nurse Sherry Ray testified in court that she was stunned by the baby’s condition when she arrived at the hospital. She testified to the prosecutors that it was unusual for an infant to have a black eye at that age, reported WTVF. The jury decided that Fisher planned to kill his daughter and the incident was premeditated.

Terra Woodard, Addilyn’s adoptive mother, took to stand and told the court the many challenges the toddler was facing due to the abuse.

Addilyn’s adoptive family who runs the Facebook page AddilynStrong wrote in a post “my baby will suffer the rest of her life, but I know prison life will get him every day.”

Addilyn reportedly still experiences seizures and is undergoing surgeries, according to the Facebook page. “Hang in there, sweet girl we are gonna get thru this and we are gonna keep fighting and making progress thru this journey we love you Addilyn,” read a post.

The baby’s biological mother, Brooklyn Tidwell, was charged with aggravated child neglect for failing to seek medical attention for the infant, reported WZTV. She will stand trial later this year.

Handcuffed
Representational Image Gettyimage/MARVIN RECINOS
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