Tallahassee, Fla. — A 25-year-old man, Deric Young, has been arrested and charged with murder and aggravated child abuse following the tragic death of a 1-year-old child in Tallahassee.
Emergency responders were called to a home in the 1700 block of Saxon Street at approximately 9:15 a.m. on June 23 after reports of a child who was not breathing. Despite rapid life-saving measures, the child was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
What initially appeared to be a death investigation quickly turned into a criminal case. According to the Tallahassee Police Department, autopsy results showed the child had sustained severe head trauma, including multiple strikes to the head with a closed fist, ultimately causing the fatal injuries.
The Violent Crimes Unit of TPD took over the case and discovered that the child had been left overnight in the care of a babysitter. However, the actual caretaker that night was the babysitter’s boyfriend, Deric Young.
Based on the medical findings and further investigation, authorities developed probable cause to arrest Young. He has since been charged with murder and aggravated child abuse and remains in custody.
The investigation is ongoing.
