Tucson man charged in death of his 3-month-old daughter

Authorities said Miracle Bruner, who died on Nov. 3, 2017, was severely abused by her father... — Authorities said Miracle Bruner, who died on Nov. 3, 2017, was severely abused by her father Terry Bruner. (Source: East Lawn Palms Mortuary)

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - A Tucson man with a history of abuse and neglect allegations is facing charges in the death of his 3-month-old daughter, authorities said.

The Tucson Police Department said Terry Bruner, 26, has been arrested on one count of first-degree murder and five counts of child abuse.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety said Miracle Bruner was transported to the hospital Oct. 27, 2017.

Miracle had "extensive injuries, including retinal hemorrhages and head trauma," according to DCS. She died Nov. 3 and Bruner was arrested.

According to case documents filed in the Pima County Superior Court, the interim complaint shows the types of trauma the 3-month-old girl went through.

The complaint said Bruner first called 911 on Oct. 27, 2017. He indicated, "his 3-month-old daughter, Miracle Bruner, went limp and stopped breathing."

The child was transported to Tucson Medical Center by the Tucson Fire Department, "where she arrived pulseless," the complaint stated. Doctors worked on Miracle and Tucson Police Department detectives responded to continue the investigation.

One day later, on Oct. 28, an MRI scan was done on Miracle's brain. The complaint states the 3-month-old had, "subdural hematomas, edema (swelling of the brain), Ischemia (inadequate blood supply to the brain) which were all indicative of abusive head trauma consistent with non-accidental trauma also referred to as shaken baby syndrome."

That same day an X-Ray was done on Miracle and revealed 10 healing rib fractures and fractured bones in her legs.

Bruner admitted to detectives that he takes care of Miracle while the child's mother works nights and sleeps during the day.

"He admitted he may have soothed the baby in a rough manner or picked her up too fast by one arm in a rough manner or swaddled her too tight but denied ever shaking the baby at any time and could not explain how the injuries or burns occurred," the complaint explained.

A jail phone call, revealed in the complaint, between Bruner and Miracle's mother shed light on his distress at the time. When she told Terry Bruner of the extent of the injuries to Miracle he stated, "What did I do! What did I do!"

DCS said it investigated Bruner two times since 2011.

In May 2011, Bruner was accused of abusing two young children in the home where he lived. DCS said the allegations were unsubstantiated and the case was closed.

In August 2017, Miracle's mother was accused of neglect. DCS said Miracle's mother was receiving "services in the community to address her needs" and the case was closed.

There were no other children in Bruner's home at the time of the incident, according to DCS.

The Pima County Superior Court schedule shows Bruner is scheduled to be back in court Thursday, March 29. The public defender he was assigned for an active felony domestic violence case does not have a contract with Pima County to defend individuals charged with First Degree Murder.

Jury trial is expected to begin in September 2018, court records show.

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