HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – One suspect was arrested following the death of a one-month-old infant.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25-year-old Cortavius Thompson on Friday, December 16, 2022.
According to deputies, on Thursday, December 8, 2022, HCSO received a 911 call from a local hospital advising a one-month-old infant arrived with upper body trauma and was unresponsive. Despite lifesaving efforts, the infant succumbed to the injuries the following morning, December 9, 2022.
Through investigative means, detectives learned that the child’s mother brought the infant to the hospital after she arrived home from work and noticed the injuries.
The victim’s mother told detectives that the infant was left in the care of another relative while she was working and explained the last time she saw her child was during her lunch break, and there were no signs of injuries at that time.
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Detectives interviewed the suspect, who stated that he was in the restroom when he heard the infant crying in another room.
When he picked up the infant, he noticed various signs of trauma. He placed the infant in the bathtub in an attempt to wake the baby until the infant’s mother arrived.
Upon further investigation, the medical examiner’s office advised detectives that the infant’s death could not have been accidental based on the injuries exhibited and ruled the death a homicide.
“It is heartbreaking anytime our deputies must investigate these types of cases,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “It is devastating to lose a child so tragically; this baby was innocent and had no chance at the hands of the suspect. This is an unspeakable act that should have never occurred.”
Thompson remains in the Orient Road Jail without bond and facing charges of 1st Degree Murder while engaged in Child Abuse.
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