Five Arrested in Connection with Murder of 7-Year-Old Deonte Atwell
Five people, including family members and home health nurses, have been arrested in connection with the death of 7-year-old Deonte Atwell, who was found severely malnourished on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale. The child’s death has led to charges including first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter, and Medicaid fraud.
The Tragic Details
On the day of Atwell’s death, emergency responders arrived at a home near the 1700 block of Southwest 11th Street after receiving reports of a medical emergency. Atwell was taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The boy, who had turned 7 just days earlier on December 23, appeared to have been deceased for some time before authorities arrived.
Prosecutors said that Atwell, born with thoracic spina bifida and hydrocephalus, had complex medical needs requiring around-the-clock care, including feeding and breathing tubes. He weighed only seven pounds at the time of his death, indicating prolonged starvation and neglect. Investigators discovered 264 unopened bottles of Atwell’s prescribed feeding formula at the home, further indicating a failure to provide proper care.
Atwell had been receiving in-home medical services, but family members and home health nurses reportedly failed to fulfill their duties, resulting in the child’s suffering and eventual death. Authorities say the boy’s condition had been deteriorating for months, with the potential of suffering for as long as a year.
The Arrests
The arrests made include Atwell’s mother, Michelle Doe, 37, who faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child, child abuse, and neglect. His brother, 21-year-old Tyreck Irvin, has been charged with similar offenses, while his grandfather, 70-year-old James Graham, faces charges including aggravated manslaughter and failure to report child abuse.
Additionally, the owner of the home health care provider, Mirlande Moltimer Ameda, 47, and the nurse responsible for Atwell’s care, Cassandre Lassegue, 33, have been arrested. Ameda, who owned the home care agency, Samaritin Home Care Provider, Inc., is charged with felony third-degree murder, manslaughter, and Medicaid fraud. Lassegue, a licensed nurse, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter, and Medicaid fraud.
Investigators revealed that Lassegue had stopped visiting Atwell’s home but continued to fill out paperwork claiming to have been there. The nurse’s failure to observe Atwell’s condition is believed to have contributed to his deteriorating health and eventual death.
Court Appearances and Ongoing Investigation
The five suspects were arrested on Tuesday, and four made their first court appearances on Wednesday. Irvin, Ameda, and Lassegue were denied bond, while Graham’s bond was set at $22,000, with the possibility of house arrest with an electronic monitor.
Michelle Doe was expected to appear in court later in the day. The investigation is ongoing, with the Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Control Unit assisting in the probe.
The tragic death of Deonte Atwell has raised serious questions about the care he received and the role of those responsible for his well-being. The case underscores the failure of both family members and medical professionals to provide adequate care, leading to the horrific and preventable death of a young child.