OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — A 24-year-old Fort Walton Beach man, Charles Little, has been arrested and charged with negligent homicide/manslaughter following the death of a 17-month-old child under his care in June 2023, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) announced.
According to a post shared by the OCSO on Facebook, Little was taken into custody on Wednesday, December 18, after a lengthy investigation into the child’s death.
Authorities say Little brought the unresponsive child—who had no pulse—to a local hospital on June 7, 2023. Despite intensive efforts, hospital staff were unable to save the boy, who died three days later.
An autopsy conducted by the Florida District One Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that the child died from complications of multiple blunt force injuries. The manner of death was officially ruled a homicide.
Medical reports detailed severe injuries to the child’s head, brain, neck, spinal column, and torso.
Investigators determined that Little was babysitting the child at the time of the injuries. He is not the biological father of the victim.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue to build the case.
