A tragic incident has struck a family in South Florida as a father of Cuban descent was arrested after allegedly killing his two-year-old daughter in a home in Pembroke Pines, Broward County, this Tuesday.
Jerónimo A. D., aged 33, faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse for the death of young Melody A. R. D.
The Pembroke Pines Police reported that officers and firefighters responded to a residence located at 404 SW 177th Avenue at 9:42 a.m. on Tuesday after being alerted to a "domestic incident" and found the injured child.
"Paramedics and police entered the house, located the girl with a neck wound, and immediately began administering medical assistance. The child was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital, but unfortunately, she died despite all efforts to save her life," said Captain Adam Feiner.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Sergeant Jason Palant described the incident as "very tragic" and stated, "Our hearts are with the victim's family, and right now we are focused on bringing justice to the family."
Palant explained that the girl had a laceration on her throat and that investigators found a knife they believe was used in the crime. However, he added that the medical examiner would determine the official cause of death.
Authorities reported that the father and mother of the child shared custody, and on Tuesday morning, he picked her up and took her to his home. Allegedly, Jerónimo A. D.'s grandmother arrived at the residence as the man was assaulting his daughter and called the police.
"According to the information we have so far, she arrived at the residence and saw the suspect on top of the two-year-old girl and noticed that the child appeared not to be breathing, at which point she called 911," Palant specified.
The suspect was detained at the house and placed in the Broward County Main Jail, where he remains without bail.
Authorities stated that they have yet to identify a motive for the assault on his daughter. "He was questioned by detectives and through his statement helped establish probable cause for his arrest, but we do not have a motive at this moment," Palant noted.
Court documents cited by NBC6 News indicate that Jerónimo A. D. was involved in a custody battle with the child's mother, during which he admitted to having mental health issues.
A response to a custody petition filed by Jerónimo A. D. in 2023 noted that "the father suffers from a mental illness that includes paranoia and anger issues (punching the wall). He also suffers from anxiety."
The files further state that his behavior is "erratic, aggressive, violent, and dangerous to the mother and the child," and also claim that the man had "suicidal thoughts" and had stopped taking his medication.
Questions and Answers About the Tragic Incident in South Florida
This section addresses some frequently asked questions about the tragic incident involving Jerónimo A. D. and his two-year-old daughter in Pembroke Pines, South Florida.
Who was the suspect in this tragic incident?
The suspect is Jerónimo A. D., a 33-year-old father of Cuban descent.
Where did the incident take place?
The incident occurred in a home located at 404 SW 177th Avenue in Pembroke Pines, Broward County, South Florida.
What charges does Jerónimo A. D. face?
Jerónimo A. D. faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse for the death of his daughter, Melody A. R. D.
What did the court documents reveal about Jerónimo A. D.'s mental health?
Court documents revealed that Jerónimo A. D. suffered from mental illness, including paranoia, anger issues, anxiety, and had suicidal thoughts. He had also stopped taking his medication.