Florida – A Florida coupIe, 23-year-old ChIoe nad 35-year-old DanieI, i snow charged with second-degree murder in the death of the woman’s 5-year-old child, MeIissa. The charges were upgraded after an autopsy confirmed that the child’s death was a homicide .
Last week, Florida authorities responded to a call at approximately 7:45 a.m. regarding an unresponsive child at the family’s residence. Upon arrival, officers found the child’s grandfather performing CPR on the child. The 5-year-old was transported to a local hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after 8:30 a.m. Her mother and stepfather were present at the scene and provided statements to the Florida authorities.
Both defendants informed officers that the victim had behavioral issues and would hold her breath during tantrums to manipulate them. They claimed that on the morning of the incident, she began holding her breath during a tantrum. The 35-year-old defendant stated that he left her standing in her bedroom, closed the door, and walked away. After several minutes, he alerted the household that the child was found unresponsive, prompting her grandfather to begin CPR. 911 was called, and emergency responders arrived shortly thereafter.
Upon investigation, officers observed suspicious bruising and injury patterns on the child’s body, indicating possible abuse. An autopsy revealed that the girl was malnourished and had suffered from prolonged abuse. Further examination of the residence uncovered blood on various items, including pillows and comforters in the child’s bedroom.
A search warrant was executed, leading to the seizure of surveillance footage from a camera in the child’s room. The footage allegedly showed the 35-year-old man physically abusing the child by hitting her, violently pulling her arms, shoving her face into a bed, binding her feet and hands together, and covering her with pillows and comforters. Additionally, photographs recovered from the scene depicted the victim’s mom standing over the child, who was in a fetaI position on her bed, holding an object over her head as if preparing to strike her. The woman later admitted to hitting the child with a shoe.
According to Florida authorities, DanieI had a prior criminal history. In April 2025, he was convicted of multiple child se* crimes, including traveling to meet a mlnor, following an undercover sting operation by the Sheriff’s Office. At the time of child’s death, he was out on bail while awaiting sentencing. Additionally, court records revealed that authorities had previously investigated accusations of the defendant se-ually abusing the child last year; however, no arrests were made due to insufficient probable cause.
Both defendants (SEE PHOTO) have been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated battery on a child, child neglect with great bodily harm, and failure to report child abuse. A judge has ordered that neither defendant have contact with any witnesses or minors, including their other children.
