Arthur Morgan III, father Of N.J. toddler found dead in Shark River Park, wanted for murder

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Arthur Morgan III is seen in this side-by-side image with his daughter Tierra Morgan, who was found dead Nov. 22, 2011.

Arthur Morgan III (l.), Tierra Morgan (r.)

/ WCBS-TV/Ocean County Prosecutor's Office

(CBS/AP) - Authorities say the father of Tierra Morgan, who was found face down in a stream Tuesday, has been charged with her murder.

CBS New York reports that after an autopsy conducted Wednesday, the death has been ruled a homicide and her 27-year-old father Arthur Morgan III has been charged with murder. His current location is unknown, police are contiuning the manhunt.

The two-year-old Morgan was discovered face down in a stream still strapped in a car seat inside Shark River Park in Neptune, New Jersey. Three teenagers stumbled upon her body while walking home from school.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter Warshaw announced the cause of death was determined to be homicidal violence with submersion in water.

"This is an unspeakably awful tragedy," he said. "It appears to be senseless and without reason."

Warshaw would not conclude whether authorities think the girl was thrown from a vehicle into the creek, or whether she was carried into the park and placed in the water.

Her father was last seen on a train platform at the Asbury Park station Monday night, the prosecutor said.

Law enforcement officials think Morgan may have left the state. Investigators say the 2-year-old was last seen with Morgan Monday afternoon when he picked her up from a court-ordered visit. He never took her back.

There are 13 law enforcement agencies helping in the case, including local police and various transit police departments and the FBI. Warshaw says police are doing everything in their power to locate the suspect.

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by whoduckingcares November 29, 2011 3:11 PM EST: I tell you now all regins are worthless, p.o.s's. Dumb women letting these criminals into there house just so the can get laid, and no respect for the safety of their children.; Reply to this comment


by catwoman1952 November 29, 2011 10:32 AM EST: Gotta love our judicial system in the good old US of A! Perpetrators have all the rights and the innocent have none.; Reply to this comment


by guest173 November 28, 2011 7:05 PM EST: who was the judge that thought this was a good idea to give him custody; Reply to this comment


by gingerlulu November 28, 2011 9:38 AM EST: This judge should be recalled! Too many judges usurp their power and make life and death decisions--forced upon the unprotected public, and are never held ACCOUNTABLE!; Reply to this comment


by formerusmcsgt1 November 26, 2011 7:02 PM EST: by brianbwb2015 November 26, 2011 1:17 AM EST
Call this a murder-suicide, except for the suicide part will be by inmates
---
Murder with delayed homicide would be fine with me. If I had the chance to meet out punishment, I would literally hang him up and skin him alive.

Killing an enemy is one thing.

Killing your own child shows a total lack of any decency whatsoever. Killing one who depends on you for everything. DAMN!; Reply to this comment


by Farver4girls November 26, 2011 11:24 AM EST: The animal didn't do it merely to hurt this unfortunate child. He did it because he wanted to hurt the child's mother. The judge was wrong to order the mother to hand over this little girl for visitation with an abusive man.; Reply to this comment


by angelofurnightmare November 26, 2011 10:12 AM EST: This man was not a father....I hope he gets the death penalty...I hope the inmates at whatever prison he goes too make it a long painful death...My condolences to the mother who was apparently trying to keep her away from this man. Funny how judges are so quick to grant visitation to animals like this; Reply to this comment


by andie52 November 26, 2011 6:38 AM EST: Please don't call this animal a father; he's a sperm donor.; Reply to this comment


by formerusmcsgt1 November 25, 2011 6:54 PM EST: Killing your own offspring is about as animal as it gets.

Face down in a stream. Damn.; Reply to this comment