Baton Rouge man charged in deaths of pregnant girlfriend, child pleads guilty

Brynnen Murphy, 23, pleaded guilty to two counts of a lesser charge of manslaughter and one count of first-degree feticide on Tuesday in connection to the deaths of Kaylen Johnson, 24, and Kayden Johnson, 2. Murphy originally faced two counts of first-degree murder.

“This is a really horrible set of events, as you can imagine. Anybody that is associated with the case has a hard time discussing the facts,” East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore said.

He said the family of the victims was satisfied with the plea deal. Murphy’s sentencing is scheduled for June 6, but Moore said he has agreed to serve 40 years plus 40 years plus 15 years consecutively.

An affidavit states that Kaylen’s family reported her and her son missing to authorities on March 11, 2022. Murphy was tied to the case after officers learned that he had been in a relationship with her. He reportedly denied knowing her or having any information about her whereabouts.

Kaylen’s car found parked in the area was towed and stored for evidence collection. According to arrest documents, investigators found suspected blood evidence in the car.

Murphy went to the precinct on March 14, 2022, and admitted to shooting and killing Kaylen on March 5, 2022, before driving her car with her son Kaden in the back seat to Central Throughway. An affidavit states that Murphy carried Kaden to the side of the overpass and threw him over the side.

Autopsy results confirmed Kaylen was pregnant at the time of her death.

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