MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A man is in custody after allegedly harming a girl who later died Thursday in Marion County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies responded around noon to the 16500 block of NE 44th Avenue, in Citra, to help Marion County Fire Rescue with an unresponsive female child, the sheriff’s office said on social media.
The girl was taken to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead, the post states.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies at the scene were told that a man at the property had harmed the child.
“At this point, we aren’t releasing any identifying information or relationship details to protect the integrity of the investigation,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Zach Moore said.
The agency’s Major Crimes detectives are investigating the incident as a homicide, the post states, adding the suspect was in custody for questioning at the time of this writing.
Law enforcement remained at the scene into the evening as detectives continued to process evidence and investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
“Our hearts are broken for those affected, especially the victim’s loved ones,” Moore said. “We are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this and bring some closure.”
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.