Police charge Thornton's daughter with murder

Billy Bob Thornton's daughter has been charged with first degree murder.

Amanda Brumfield - who is estranged from her actor father - was also indicted on aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter charges yesterday, following the death of a one-year-old girl in her care in Florida last October.

Brumfield, 29 - who was charged with child neglect causing harm or disability earlier this month - was booked at the Orange County jail.

When she was initially arrested, Brumfield reportedly told police the child died after sustaining a head injury following a fall from a playpen. It is alleged she did not call for help for two-and-a-half hours.

An autopsy showed the youngster had a fractured skull and a brain injury, prompting the death to be ruled a homicide.

A police spokesman said at the time: "It's not believable that a one-year-old can balance themselves on a railing. We do believe her head hit a hard object but you would either have to fall harder or hit something with more force than a 28-inch playpen fall."

After Brumfield's arrest, Thornton's publicist said: "Mr Thornton is estranged from Amanda and has had no contact with her for quite some time.

"However, when informed about this situation, he commented that: 'Any time a baby's life is lost is an unimaginable tragedy and my heart goes out to the baby's family and loved ones.' "