JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Jacksonville couple has been arrested in connection with the death of a toddler, which investigators say resulted from blunt force trauma and methamphetamine exposure. The child’s death has been officially ruled a homicide, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO).
On September 10, 2024, officers responded to a medical emergency at a home on Taurus Circle North in southwest Jacksonville. A toddler was transported to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where medical staff discovered multiple traumatic injuries. Tragically, the child died eight days later, on September 18.
Months later, on December 4, the Medical Examiner determined that the child died as a result of blunt force trauma and tested positive for methamphetamine. The case was then reclassified as a homicide.
Following a lengthy investigation, Zayla Goodwin, 20, was arrested on March 20 and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
Nathaniel Davis, 23, faces even more severe charges, including:
First-degree murder (indicted by a grand jury)
Two counts of sexual battery
Aggravated child abuse
Tampering with evidence
The first-degree murder charge is a capital offense, and prosecutors are expected to pursue the maximum penalty.
Due to the ongoing investigation and the sensitive nature of the case, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated they could not share further details. However, they emphasized that they are working closely with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is served.
“This was a heinous crime against an innocent child,” said a JSO spokesperson. “We are committed to seeking the harshest punishment possible.”
