Man Who Had Been Charged In Daughter's Murder Pleads Guilty To Reduced Charge

  • Monday, May 12, 2025
Nicholas Peter Merrill
Nicholas Peter Merrill

A Chattanooga man who was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 11-month-old daughter has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.

Nicholas Peter Merrill pleaded guilty to aggravated child neglect under eight years old. He will be sentenced later.

Merrill was charged in the July 23, 2023, death of Malaysia Denise Nicole Merrill.

Police said the autopsy indicated that the child had been left in a hot area. She was dead when she was taken to Children's Hospital.

The child's mother said in an earlier GoFundMe page:

"I left off to work Friday July 21 afternoon, kissed my daughter goodbye expecting to see her again Sunday evening July 23d only to answer my door to a detective at 12 am to tell me my daughter will not be coming home. While sleeping she took her last breath Sunday afternoon."

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 7/1/2025

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ADAMS,JOSHUA ... more

Dalton Council Sets Rollback ‘24 Millage Rate
  • 6/30/2025

The Dalton City Council voted Monday night to set the city’s final millage rate for 2024 property taxes at the rollback rate of 1.527 mills. That’s a decrease of more than 21 percent from the ... more

I-40 Shut Down In Both Directions At Lenoir City Due To Multiple Fatalities Accident
  • 6/30/2025

I-40 was shut down Monday afternoon in both directions due to a multi-vehicle accident with multiple fatalities. Westbound lanes were shut down so that a patient could be transported by Lifestar. ... more