NEWNAN, GA – A Coweta County mother faces serious charges after a grand jury indicted her for the tragic death of her infant son, who suffered severe burns allegedly caused by a hair dryer. Morgan Allison Creel is now charged with second-degree murder and second-degree child cruelty following the November 2023 incident.
Authorities say they were called to Creel’s home after she reported finding her baby unresponsive. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the child had significant burns down his right side. Initially, Creel claimed she had inadvertently fallen asleep while using a hair dryer to warm the child in bed.
However, the grand jury was presented with a more troubling narrative during their investigation. New details emerged suggesting Creel was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time, which may have contributed to her falling asleep and leaving the hair dryer on.
In a separate incident, video footage from an October 2024 traffic stop shows Creel struggling to maintain control of her vehicle. Deputies reported she was weaving on the road, and although she claimed sneezing caused her to lose control, her unsteady demeanor led officers to suspect impairment.
During the traffic stop, officers attempted a field sobriety test but discontinued it for her safety. Creel was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence. This arrest came nearly a year after the tragic death of her son, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
The indictment against Creel states that she caused “cruel and excessive physical and mental pain” to her son by leaving the hair dryer blowing hot air near him while she was incapacitated. The document suggests her actions were not merely negligent but influenced by substance abuse.
Weather records indicate that on the day of the incident, temperatures in Newnan were nearly 70 degrees, raising questions about the necessity of using a hair dryer for warmth. This detail adds to the scrutiny surrounding Creel’s explanation of events.
As the legal process unfolds, the community grapples with the unsettling circumstances of the case, which has sparked discussions on parental responsibility and the impact of substance abuse on families.