Sanford woman arrested in connection with malnourished infant's death

Michelle Spinicchia arrested for child neglect, other charges

Michelle Spinicchia.

SANFORD, Fla. – A Seminole County woman was arrested Sunday in connection with the death of a 3-week-old baby.

Michelle Spinicchia was arrested on several charges, including child neglect. 

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The Seminole County Sheriff's Office said the boy died in August after Spinicchia and the baby's father called 911 and said they woke up and found the baby not breathing and cold to the touch. The couple attempted CPR, but the child could not be revived, deputies said.

An autopsy showed that the infant was severely malnourished and underweight, deputies said. Investigators said they also learned that the infant was born prematurely and required medical treatment for breathing issues, but Spinicchia failed to take him to follow-up doctor appointments. 

The Sheriff's Office said that because of the facts of the investigation and statements made by Spinicchia, authorities believe that her failure to provide essential medical care and properly feed the infant resulted in his death.

The case was forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office, which issued a warrant for her arrest on Wednesday.

Deputies said they responded to a report on Sunday that Spinicchia violated the conditions of release on a previous domestic violence arrest involving the infant’s father. The conditions of release said Spinicchia was prohibited from contacting him, but she continued to call and send text messages, deputies said.  

Spinicchia was arrested on charges of violation of pretrial release conditions and the outstanding warrant for child neglect. She was booked into the John E. Polk Correctional Facility and is being held without bond.

During the booking process, deputies said Spinicchia became agitated and was placed in a holding cell, where she damaged a fire sprinkler head, causing water to gush and begin to fill the cell. Spinuchhia was additionally arrested on charges of criminal mischief, preventing or obstructing extinguishment of fire and false fire alarm.

At the time of her arrest, Spinicchia was out on bond for an incident March 11 in which she was charged with battery/domestic violence, grand theft of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and escape from a patrol car.

 


About the Author:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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