LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A 24-year-old woman will serve more than two decades in prison for her role in the death of a five-month-old baby in 2024.
Kristal Morse pleaded guilty today in the 364th District Court and Judge William Eichman.
Morse was one of three people arrested and indicted in connection with the boy’s death. The other two people in custody are Casey Harbison and Tiffany Whalen.
GRAPHIC WARNING: 3 indicted in connection with death of 5-month-old boy
On May 8, 2024, the baby was taken to the emergency room at Covenant Children’s. Hospital staff grew suspicious of the boy’s injuries and called Lubbock police.
According to a police report, the baby had a skull fracture and brain bleeds.
When investigators interviewed Morse and Harbison, the two said they were unsure how the baby was hurt.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lubbock police investigating death of 5-month-old, three people arrested
Morse informed police that the baby was born in Washington and that the two were being investigated by Washington Child Services for “medical neglect.”
Morse and Harbison were “semi-homeless,” according to Morse. When investigators went to Whalen’s home, where the two moved into, they discovered dog feces and said it was “extremely dirty” and smelled like cat urine and smoke.
During her interview, Morse said she sometimes “wants to punch things,” but denied hurting the baby. However, she told police, “it was me. I don’t know what you want to hear, it was me.”
Judge Eichman sentenced Morse on Friday to 25 years in TDCJ.
Copyright 2026 KCBD. All rights reserved.