A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly slammed his 6-month-old baby on the floor because the infant was sick and would not stop crying, police said.
The DeFuniak Springs Police and Walton Fire Rescue were called to a residence at Quail Run Apartments Wednesday night for a unresponsive 6 month old infant.
Officers responded at around 9 PM after the father of the infant, 25 year old Alonso Castillo, went to a neighboring apartment to have them call 911.
According to Castillo, he was preparing to bathe the infant when he noticed he was not breathing. He took the infant to his neighbor’s apartment and they began trying to revive the baby, while calling for assistance.
Firefighters began life saving measures until Walton Fire Rescue Paramedics could take over. The baby was revived and flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
Officers began investigation that revealed Castillo had been caring for the infant when the injuries occurred. The infant sustained multiple bruises about the body, a fractured arm, and a laceration to his tongue. There were signs of deliberate head trauma and swelling around the eyes.
Detectives worked all night long on this case and interviewed Castillo. He advised multiple stories that attempted to explain the injuries, including that the infant being dropped and his head hitting a bath faucet.
The stories did not explain all of the injuries and appeared to be fabricated to justify the baby’s condition. Several neighbors came forward and gave statements regarding the possibility of abuse.
Detectives continued the investigation all day today and spoke with Castillo again in Pensacola regarding inconsistencies in his story.
He eventually confessed to slamming the baby on the floor because the infant was sick and would not stop crying. Castillo agreed to travel back to DeFuniak Springs with Detectives.
According to a GoFundMe Page, the baby has died from his injuries, “Baby Draven was taken from this earth and our lives way to soon,” the page says.
The father was placed under arrest for Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Child Abuse and murder.
Chief Weeks said “crimes against children are very troubling. My heart goes out to this precious baby who was defenseless against his own father.” The infant is listed in critical condition at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Additional charges are pending.
