A Hamilton County man pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated child neglect in connection with his 11-month-old daughter’s death, court records show.
Nicholas Peter Merrill, 32, had a first-degree murder charge against him dismissed Monday.
Merrill left his daughter, identified as M.M. in court documents, in a car July 23, 2023, according to his indictment.
The Hamilton County medical examiner’s report ruled her death a homicide due to hyperthermia, which is exposure to high temperature.
Merrill carried the infant to Erlanger hospital and told medical staff he had left her in a kitchen area from 1 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13 while still in her car seat, according to the report.