A heartbreaking case has emerged from Tallahassee, Florida, where the 25-year-old boyfriend of a babysitter is accused of killing a 1-year-old girl left in his care.
Deric Young, the boyfriend, claims that the toddler’s fatal injuries were the result of “playing” with her after smoking marijuana. Young is now facing serious charges, including murder and cruelty towards a child.
The Incident Unfolds
On Monday morning, Tallahassee police responded to a call regarding an unresponsive child at a home on Saxon Street. Upon arrival, first responders worked urgently to revive the toddler, but she was declared dead after being rushed to the hospital.
At first, the situation was treated as a standard death investigation. However, signs of foul play quickly came to light. An autopsy revealed that the child suffered severe injuries, including multiple strikes to the head with a closed fist, which ultimately led to her death.
The Investigation
Detectives discovered that the child had been left in the care of Deric Young the night before the tragic incident. The autopsy further showed that the little girl had suffered forceful impacts to both sides of her head, causing severe brain hemorrhaging and swelling.
Additionally, the child’s left femur was fractured, a painful injury that would have affected her ability to move.
Young initially denied any involvement in the injuries. However, during a post-Miranda interview with police, he broke down and admitted to striking the child on her head and face. He even demonstrated how he hit the child with both his right and left fists.
When asked about the motive, Young bizarrely explained that he had been “playing” with the victim after smoking cannabis. He claimed that when he smoked, he wanted to play, but denied losing his temper.
A Disturbing Confession
As the investigation continued, Young admitted to using his fists to strike the child’s thigh, causing the femur fracture. After the assault, he left the child on the bed next to her brother and later returned to find her unresponsive. Panicked, he called a relative to call 911, fearing that his actions had harmed the child.
Despite confessing to inflicting the fatal injuries, Young insisted that he never intended to kill the child and didn’t realize the extent of harm his actions could cause. He said that he did not know that striking her head could cause brain hemorrhaging.
Legal Consequences and Current Status
Deric Young was arrested and is now facing charges of first-degree murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse and cruelty to a child by aggravated battery. He is currently being held in the Leon County Jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court soon.
This tragic case has shocked the community and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of abuse, especially when vulnerable children are involved.
The case of Deric Young’s alleged actions brings to light the importance of ensuring that children are safe, particularly when they are left in the care of others. While the explanation provided by Young might be difficult to comprehend, the lasting effects of his actions have forever altered the lives of those around the victim.
As investigations continue, the justice system will work to bring the necessary consequences for this heartbreaking event.
