Commerce couple charged in toddler’s death appear in court

MIAMI, Okla. – The parents of a 2-year-old boy who died at a local hospital appeared in Quapaw Nation Tribal Court on Friday.

Amber Murphy, 30, and Daniel Ash, 32, of Commerce, made their first appearance on charges of manslaughter and child neglect.

They are being held in the Cherokee County, Kansas jail – each has a $30,000 bond.

Court officials said the probable cause affidavit involving the two’s arrest is currently being sealed.

The toddler died on Wednesday at Integris Baptist Regional Health Center.  The Tulsa Medical Examiner’s Office will release the cause and manner of death after the autopsy.

Sources close to the investigation said the preliminary findings suggest the child died from malnutrition.

The couple’s other children are in Quapaw Nation custody.

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