(La Porte County, IN) - Life in prison will be sought for a LaPorte County man if convicted of murdering his four-year-old son, subject to deathly abuse and cruelty.

 

Alan Morgan, 28, is charged in LaPorte Circuit Court with murder and five counts of neglect of a dependent. Typically, a murder charge in Indiana carries a potential sentence of 45 to 65 years.

 

However, the LaPorte County Prosecutor's Office announced it would seek a sentence of life without parole for Morgan if he's found guilty of murder due to the victim's young age.

 

Judah Morgan was found dead Monday inside his family's home a few miles east of Kingsford Heights. According to court documents, his naked body was covered in bruises, and there were red marks on his face and head.

 

Periodically, Morgan allegedly wrapped the boy's wrists and ankles with duct tape and kept him in the basement sometimes for several days at a time as punishment for not being potty trained like other children in the home. In addition, the investigation shows he kept the basement dark while the boy was down, thereby shutting off the lights. Morgan also withheld food from the child and physically abused him, according to court documents.

 

The young boy was found dead after the mother of the victim and three other children in the home called 911 after Morgan had reportedly lost his temper and hurt the child. An autopsy revealed the boy died from a massive brain injury caused by blunt force trauma to the head.

 

Morgan fled but several hours later was found about 10 miles away in Knox, Indiana. According to court documents, there was a strong odor of urine, feces, and rotting food inside the residence. A lock was also attached to the refrigerator to keep it from being opened.

 

Morgan is also charged with animal cruelty because of a highly malnourished dog locked in a crate inside the home.