More tests required to determine cause of infant’s death

More tests are required to determined the cause of Mariah Alton’s death after an autopsy was completed Wednesday in Decatur.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan said further tests are required for toxicology, in medical history and other records to determine a cause of death. “It will be a while,” the coroner said.

The 2-month-old girl died Saturday at Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta after she was transferred there from Midtown Medical Center in Columbus. She was treated for a skull fracture and other injuries on July 4, Bryan said. She was pronounced dead by an attending physician at the hospital.

Nijil Alston, 23, faces one count each of first-degree child cruelty and aggravated battery in the girl’s injury. The girl’s father was ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail under bonds totaling $150,000 after a hearing in Recorder’s Court. Police were called to Midtown Medical Center about 11:40 p.m. July 4 to investigate an assault.

No additional charges had been filed late Wednesday.

The child’s injuries also included cracked ribs, torn ligaments and bruises throughout her body. She also sustained injuries to her right eye, private parts and back side.

Staff writer Sarah Robinson contributed to this report.

This story was originally published July 12, 2017 at 9:03 PM with the headline "More tests required to determine cause of infant’s death."