West Melbourne detectives reviewing suspicious death of child

Autopsy will be performed

WEST MELBOURNE, Fla. – West Melbourne detectives are investigating the death of a child after a woman called them Friday evening asking for help, News 6 partner Florida Today reported.

The body of the unidentified child, believed to be at least 3 years old, was turned over to the medical examiner’s office in Rockledge, where an autopsy was slated to be performed.

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“It’s still an ongoing investigation, right now,” said Sgt. Graig Erenstoft, a spokesperson for the West Melbourne Police Department. “It’s still suspicious in its nature at this point.”

The incident was reported about 7 p.m. Friday.

Dispatchers reported a child not breathing at an address matching the Grand Oaks and the Lake Apartments on Lago Circle.

“Responding to Lago Circle for a possible 4-year-old not breathing,” a dispatcher said.

Another dispatcher reported the child had a seizure.

Later, dispatchers commented a male caller may have left the apartments.

“Wasn’t being quite clear where the child was and then at the end stated that he was actually driving away from the scene,” the dispatcher reported.

It was not immediately known if detectives were able to speak with the mother or other caregivers in the residence.

Brevard County sheriff’s crime scene agents assisted, taking photos and gleaning other information from the home.

News 6 requested the caller’s audio, police said they’re not sharing that right now either.

Police said the child was 3, not 4 as reported by dispatchers.

Resident Frank Rosas said the apartments are full of families with small children.

Rosas, himself, said he’s a father of three.

“It’s very surprising and disturbing,” he said. “I think that’s something that our community needs to know about. We all have kids. We all have loved ones around here,” the tenant continued.


About the Authors

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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