Gaston County man found not guilty in death of 3-month-old

A man accused in the death of a 3-month-old girl was found not guilty Thursday, Channel 9 news partner The Gaston Gazette reported.

Jason Michael Moore had spent more than two years in jail awaiting trial in the death of Addison Waller. Addison had suffered blunt force trauma to the head, burns to her foot, leg and bottom in August 2013.

A medical examiner said there were signs of previous abuse when the infant was taken to a hospital, the Gazette reported.

Addison’s mother, Jessica Waller, relied on family and friends to watch her child while she worked. Moore had been babysitting the girl at her apartment. The two took Addison to the hospital, but she died four days after being admitted.

Moore was charged with first-degree murder and felony child abuse. Jury deliberations began late Wednesday and they reached a verdict by noon Thursday. No one else had been arrested in the case.

The Gazette reported that Moore's attorney suggested during the trial that any number of people could have committed the crime, including the child's mother. Waller and Moore told investigators they did not know who hurt the child.

Moore was released Thursday afternoon. Read more on this story on GastonGazette.com.

The first steps as a free man for man found not guilty of murdering his girlfriend's new born daughter. #mooretrial pic.twitter.com/5BTtviKuGg
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) March 3, 2016