Tennessee dad who abused daughter to the 'brink of death' convicted of attempted murder

LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. (TCD) -- A man who abused his infant daughter to the "brink of death" was found guilty Wednesday of attempted first-degree murder.

The Lawrenceburg Police Department posted a statement from District Attorney Brent Cooper that says, "The jury has found Michael Fisher guilty of Attempted First Degree Murder for the abuse he inflicted upon baby Addilyn!"

In his statement, Cooper also praised detectives from the Lawrenceburg Police Department and a victim witness coordinator.

Fisher’s trial regarding the abuse of baby Addilyn began recently with a reportedly surprising plea announcement. WTVF-TV reports Fisher pleaded guilty to an aggravated child abuse charge. The guilty plea plus his conviction means Fisher could face up to 50 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of 25 years for each charge, according to WTVF.

During the trial, Fisher reportedly admitted to beating Addilyn but said he did not want to kill her. WTFV, citing an affidavit, reports baby Addilyn was neglected and beaten to the "brink of death."

Fisher and Addilyn’s biological mother Brooklyn Tidwell were arrested in January 2019. Tidwell was taken in on a charge of aggravated child neglect.

Fisher is accused of abusing her on January 26, 2019, according to WZTV-TV. Fisher and Tidwell took Addilyn to Tennessee Regional Medical Center, but her injuries were reportedly so severe that she was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

WZTV reports Addilyn was placed into a medically induced coma at Vanderbilt Hospital because doctors needed to stop bleeding in her brain. She reportedly had broken bones and other internal injuries. She was about 2 months old at the time.

Addilyn was released from the hospital in March 2019, WTVF reports.

According to WTVF, Addilyn is now blind and has brain damage, but posts on the AddilynStrong Facebook page run by her adoptive parents show her smiling, swimming, meeting Santa Claus, and more.

According to court records, Tidwell’s trial is scheduled to begin December 6.

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