Bootheel man pleads guilty to toddler's murder

CARUTHERSVILLE, Mo. -- A Pemiscot County man charged with murder after his girlfriend's daughter died was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday, KZIM KSIM reported. Matthew Taylor, 23, of Bragg City, Mo., pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder before Judge Fred Copeland. The mother, 21-year-old Joanie Fowler, turned herself in to police for endangering the welfare of a child. She is set for trial March 3. An autopsy revealed 2-year-old Lillian Fowler died of head trauma. Deputies responded to the home Sept. 30 in response to a child not breathing. The girl was flown to a hospital in Memphis, Tenn., where she died the next day. The mother told authorities that she and her daughter were involved in an ATV wreck. Officials learned that story was false and the mother's boyfriend had struck the child in the face with his fist.

Pertinent address:

Caruthersville, MO