BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Donovan Winter, 27, a man from Volusia County, was arrested Tuesday on charges of murder and child abuse in connection with the 2021 death of his infant son.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced Winter’s arrest, made with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Deputies initially responded to a residence in Merritt Island in June 2021, where the body of a 2-month-old boy was found.
An autopsy by the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed the infant died from multiple blunt-impact head injuries. Investigators determined that Winter, the baby’s father, was responsible for causing these fatal injuries.
BCSO Public Information Officer Tod Goodyear explained the complexity of such cases, citing the need for thorough review of medical evidence, involvement of child protection teams, and multiple caretakers who had access to the child.
Neighbor Marilyn Crews, who lived next door during the tragedy, described the case as “one of the worst things to hear about.”
Winter’s arrest closes a long investigation into this heartbreaking incident, highlighting the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable children in the community.
