SAN DIEGO, CA (PIX11)— The man accused of killing his 2-year-old daughter by throwing her into a New Jersey river is under arrest Tuesday after a nationwide manhunt, according to authorities.
U.S. Marshals arrested Arthur Morgan III, 27, in East San Diego after receiving a tip from the Ocean Township Police Dept. in New Jersey.
On Nov. 21 Morgan failed to bring his daughter, Tierra, back to the girl's mother, Imani Benton, following a court-approved visit. Benton became suspicious and called the police, who launched a manhunt for her husband.
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Authorities believe Morgan threw his daughter from a bridge into Shark River in Monmouth County, where her body was found by a group of teenagers the next day -- still strapped into the car seat.
According to FBI Spokesman Bryan Travers, Morgan jumped on a Richmond, VA.-bound bus from Newark Penn Station the same night his daughter disappeared. The FBI alerted transit police in Texas and California where Morgan, who was featured on America's Most Wanted, reportedly had friends. It is not yet clear how New Jersey police received the tip that led Marshals to the San Diego home where Morgan was hiding.
"He's a friend of mine, he was with us (and) we didn't feel nothing; I mean he ate thanksgiving with us," said a San Diego man. "I can't believe he did this."
Morgan, who was initially charged with child endangerment and interfering with a court order, now faces charges of murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
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