10-month-old baby girl dies from alleged abuse, stepfather accused of murder

A 10-month-old baby died from injuries sustained by abuse and now police say her stepfather has been charged in connection to the child's death.

On Dec. 3, the Ector County Sheriff's Office in Texas received a call from a hospital about an injured 10-month-old baby who was in critical condition after being brought into the hospital by ambulance the day before.

Detectives said an ambulance brought the unresponsive child to the hospital on Dec. 2. At the time of the incident, officials said the 10-month-old and another 2-year-old girl were in the custody of their stepfather, 28-year-old Edward Lira.

The baby girl was then airlifted to the University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, with life-threatening injuries that medical staff said were possibly sustained by abuse.

After extensive interviews, officials identified Lira as the person caring for the child at the time and he was placed under arrest on Dec. 3. He was charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.

Lira posted pond and was released from jail following this arrest, police said.

On Dec. 13, investigators were informed the baby died as a result of her injuries.

Authorities said an arrest warrant was issued for Lira on an upgraded charge of capital murder. He was taken back into custody and is being held without bond.