Florida Mother and Boyfriend Charged After Toddler Found Dead With Bruises and Cigarette Burn Scars
LIVE OAK, FLORIDA — A Florida mother and her boyfriend are facing serious criminal charges after authorities discovered the woman’s 2-year-old son dead from severe head trauma, covered in bruises and cigarette burn scars.
Both 33-year-old Christian Parnell and 33-year-old Curtis David Willey were arrested earlier this week and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say the toddler’s condition revealed “gross neglect” and “extreme disregard” for his medical needs in the days leading up to his death.
Child Found Unresponsive With Extensive Injuries
Deputies responded to a 911 call around 3 p.m. on Oct. 13 at a home in the 22000 block of 128th Path in Live Oak, after Parnell reported that her toddler was “unresponsive” and that CPR was underway.
Paramedics rushed the boy to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead at 4:10 p.m.
Medical personnel immediately noticed “abnormal swelling to the head, multiple bruises on the legs and groin, and scars resembling cigarette burns,” according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
“The extent of the injuries displayed on the victim were not consistent with the events described by either defendant,” investigators wrote.
Mother Waited 10 Days to Seek Help
During questioning, Parnell told detectives that her son had “fallen off a bed” while playing with Willey’s 4-year-old child 10 days earlier, on October 4. She claimed the boy appeared fine afterward and did not show major symptoms until a week later, when his head began to swell and he became lethargic and discolored.
“She admitted she didn’t take the child to the hospital or send him to daycare because she couldn’t explain the injuries,” the report stated.
On October 13, Willey called Parnell saying they needed to take the child to the hospital — but before they could leave, the boy vomited and became unresponsive.
Willey reportedly told police he heard a “loud bang that sounded like metal” when the boy fell, but claimed he later appeared “fine.” Both defendants maintained that the boy’s injuries came from the fall.
However, investigators determined the severity of the bruising and burns could not have come from a minor household fall.
Neglect Allegations and Ongoing Investigation
Detectives wrote that both Parnell and Willey had acted as caregivers for the boy for months and “were well aware, or should have been aware, of the need for immediate medical attention.”
Authorities say their failure to seek treatment for more than a week directly led to the child’s death.
Both suspects remain in the Suwannee County Jail without bond, and prosecutors have indicated that additional charges could follow pending further forensic evidence.
Cases of child neglect and abuse continue to devastate communities across the country. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact local authorities or the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
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