A western Michigan man has pleaded not guilty to murder and child abuse charges in the death of his 14-month-old stepdaughter.
Twenty-nine-year-old Wayne Arthur-Scott Brown of Newaygo was arraigned on the charges Friday in Newaygo County District Court.
Laylah Heether died Tuesday after being hospitalized for a week. She had been found unresponsive at home with Brown.
Investigators say she died of injuries associated with child abuse.