Florida – A Florida woman, later identified as 25-year-old C. Fitte, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated manslaughter by child abuse, in connection with the death of her husband’s 5-year-old son, Rile. The incident occurred in October, when the woman reportedly left the victim outside without any clothes on as a form of punishment because he had allegedly injured one of her farm animals earlier that day. Authorities in Florida say that while the woman was inside the house sleeping, the child drowned in a manmade hole in the backyard.
The investigation began after a 911 call reported that a child had drowned at the family’s home. Officers who responded found the victim not breathing and covered in mud, with no clothing on. He was rushed to the hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead. The medical examiner confirmed that drowning was the cause of death.
During questioning, the 25-year-old Florida woman told investigators that she had been looking after the victim and his two siblings, ages 3 and 5, while their father was at work. She admitted to allowing the children to play outside and stated that she went inside for a short time to do laundry. According to the woman, she didn’t immediately believe one of the children who yelled that Riley was underwater. She continued with her laundry until she later realized that the victim was missing.
The woman then discovered that the child had fallen into a hole in the backyard, which had been dug by a family friend earlier that day. The hole was filled with wastewater from an animal pen. She jumped into the water and pulled the victim out, but when asked why she didn’t call 911 immediately, she claimed that her phone had fallen into the hole.
Further investigation revealed that the woman had left the child outside without clothes as a form of punishment, and one of the victim’s siblings, who is also the woman’s biological 5-year-old daughter, told authorities that the woman had been inside sleeping while her stepbrother was drowning. The woman is now being held without bond, facing charges that could have a significant impact on her future.