Background: Integris Baptist Regional Health Center in Miami, Okla., where Charles Ash died in September 2024 (Google Maps). Insets (left to right): Daniel Ash and Amber Murphy (Quapaw Marshal”s Service).
In a tragic case from Oklahoma, the parents of a young boy who died from starvation have admitted to his murder in court.
Daniel Ash, aged 33, and Amber Murphy, aged 32, have both pled guilty to a charge of second-degree murder. Their plea comes in connection with the death of their 2-year-old son, Charles Wayne Ash. The couple, with Murphy being a member of the Quapaw Nation, were prosecuted after taking Charles to Integris Baptist Regional Health Center in Miami, Oklahoma, where he was declared deceased on September 11, 2024.
An autopsy report from local NBC affiliate KSN revealed that Charles weighed only 17 pounds at the time of his death, which was caused by starvation.
The federal court indictment came in March 2025, implicating Ash and Murphy not only in the starvation death of Charles but also in the alleged neglect of their other four children. As part of a plea agreement, Ash faced additional charges, including engaging in a sexual act with a minor under the age of 12, which were dismissed. Ash entered his plea on May 7, while Murphy followed on May 8.
Findings in the autopsy report revealed that Charles had never been seen by a doctor since his birth in July 2022. The day they rushed him to the emergency room, Ash and Murphy claimed he was unwell and struggling to breathe. Upon arrival, medical personnel found the boy unresponsive and noted he exhibited “decorticate posturing,” a sign of brain damage.
Further examination indicated severe neglect, as evidenced by dirt on his nails and significant muscle wasting. The child had minimal body fat, was dehydrated, anemic, and suffered from low blood sugar. The medical examiner also noted that his brain weight was below the average for a child of his age.
Sentencing dates have not been set for either Ash or Murphy.
