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Pinellas Day Care Worker Charged In Death Of 1-Year-Old

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TBO.com

Published: November 7, 2008

Updated: 11/07/2008 04:50 pm

  Stephanie Spurgeon

CLEARWATER - A day care worker was charged with murder in the death of a 1-year-old girl she was caring for in her home in August, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies arrested Stephanie M. Spurgeon, 37, of 830 Edgehill Drive, Palm Harbor, at her home at 9:15 a.m. today on a charge of first-degree murder after a 2 1/2-month investigation.

She was booked at the Pinellas County Jail. Bail has not been set.

Spurgeon previously was charged with aggravated child abuse after the girl, Maria Harris, was admitted to the hospital with head injuries Aug. 21. She died Aug. 28.

Spurgeon had been released on bond.

The sheriff's office said the baby's family members left her at the day care center Spurgeon operated at her home. The family told detectives the child was well and happy when they left her.

When they picked her up later that day, the girl was unresponsive. The family took her home, at 3040 Windridge Oaks Drive, Palm Harbor, and called 911. She was taken to a hospital with serious head injuries and died a week later.

Investigators suspect the child was shaken.

Spurgeon, who is licensed, has operated a special-needs day care center at her home for years, according to WFLA, News Channel 8. She also has served as president of her local homeowners association.

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