NEWNAN, GA – A Coweta County woman faces serious charges after a grand jury indicted her for second-degree murder and child cruelty following the tragic death of her infant son. Authorities allege that Morgan Allison Creel left a hair dryer running in her baby’s bed, leading to severe burns on the infant’s body.
In November 2023, Coweta County deputies responded to Creel’s residence after she reported finding her baby unresponsive. Upon arrival, the deputies discovered the child suffered from significant burns down his right side. Creel claimed she had been using a hair dryer to warm the baby while they napped together and inadvertently fell asleep.
The grand jury, however, presented a more unsettling narrative. They suggest Creel was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time, resulting in her losing consciousness while the hair dryer continued to blow heated air onto the infant.
Further complicating the case, a video surfaced from an October 2024 traffic stop involving Creel. Deputies reported she was weaving on the road, unable to maintain her lane. In the footage, Creel attributed her erratic driving to a sneezing fit, although deputies noted her unsteady demeanor.
During the traffic stop, Creel was subjected to a field sobriety test, which was ultimately halted for her safety due to her instability. The incident led to her arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, adding another layer to the ongoing investigation into her son’s death.
The indictment against Creel accuses her of causing “cruel and excessive physical and mental pain” to her child by leaving the hair dryer on while she was incapacitated by drugs. This accusation paints a grim picture of negligence and substance abuse that resulted in the tragic loss of a young life.
Weather records from the day of the incident indicate that temperatures in Newnan, Georgia, were nearly 70 degrees, raising questions about the necessity of using a hair dryer for warmth.
Creel’s legal troubles underscore the potential dangers of substance abuse and its far-reaching consequences. The case continues to unfold as the community grapples with the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.