An Inverness man was charged after his 3-month-old son died earlier this year.
On January 7, Citrus County Sheriff's Office responded to a medical emergency involving a 3-month-old. Deputies saw the infant's father, 24-year-old Andrew Martin, trying to perform CPR when they arrived.
He was taken to the hospital but later died.
Detectives determined Martin was alone with the child in the hours leading up to his death. The Medical Examiner found injuries to the infant in various healing stages and determined that recent multiple blunt force injuries caused his death.
The Child Protection Team confirmed through their investigation that the child had suffered numerous abusive injuries.
During an interview with authorities, Martin reportedly made statements that detailed several instances where his actions would have resulted in the infant's injuries. He confirmed he had been in sole care and custody of the victim in the hours leading up to his death.
Detectives used the interview along with medical evidence and charged Martin with Aggravated Manslaughter, Child Abuse, and Child Neglect. Martin was taken to the Citrus County Detention Facility and remained on a no-bond status.
"It is heartbreaking that this three-month-old's life was so short and filled with such violence and abuse," said Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Our detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division never gave up and continued to seek the truth in this case. They were able to find justice for the innocent victim."
