Anthony Michael Sanders, 33, was charged with the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Ellie Mae in Fort Worth, Texas in 2015. He was facing the death penalty for his alleged crime when his seven-year-old son confessed to his mother that he was the cause of his sister’s death.

Sanders has been in jail since 2016 and has repeatedly denied killing his daughter. At the time of her death, Sander’s son had told his parents that his sister was asleep and that he could not wake her up.

Father was caring for both children at the time of the girl’s death

As reported by the International Business Times, at the time of the child’s death, Sanders had been caring for the children on December 12, 2015 for the whole day, starting at 10 AM, while his wife had attended an art show.

Investigators believed Sanders had held his hand over Ellie Mae’s mouth, suffocating her, after she possibly interrupted him while he was playing computer games.

Fast forward two years and Sanders was awaiting trial and facing the death penalty for his crime when his son finally confessed to his mother that he had been the cause of his sister’s death. According to court documents, Sander’s wife, Cassie Wright, had told the prosecuting attorney, Dale Smith, that her son had admitted to accidentally killing his little sister. The document stated that the mother told them it was the first time her son had said anything like this. However, she added that she doesn’t believe her son and that what he is saying doesn’t make sense.

The boy was allegedly crying when he told his mother he had placed a pillow on his little sister’s legs and had then accidentally rolled it onto her face. He said he found the pillow was too heavy to move off his sister’s face.

Capital murder charge dropped

The capital murder charge against Sanders was dismissed and while his trial date was scheduled for September 11, he was released from jail on September 13. The Star-Telegram quotes Tim Moore, Sander’s attorney, as saying his client was relieved the murder charge had been dropped, saying Sanders had denied killing his daughter right from the start.

The child had other injuries when she died

The arrest warrant affidavit had stated that Ellie Mae was covered with bruises, including around her eyes. There had also been blood behind her ear and what looked like two bite marks that appeared to be from an adult, on her back. Sgt. Jason Babcock, the police spokesman at the time of the arrest, had said Sanders had given no explanation for Ellie Mae’s injuries.

When asked about the further injuries, Moore said he doesn’t believe Sanders will face any charges related to the toddler’s injuries, saying that was up to the district attorney’s office. As far as he was aware, Moore said that the case is over and there will be no further charges.
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