A father arrested in the killing of his 2-year-old daughter in a Pembroke Pines home is facing a first-degree murder charge.
Jeronimo A. Duran, 33, is also facing an aggravated child abuse charge in the toddler’s killing.
Pembroke Pines Police discussed the case at a news conference Wednesday, a day after the killing of Melody Alana Rose Duran.
“It’s a very tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family of the victim and at this time we’re just focusing on being able to provide justice to her family,” Sgt. Jason Palant said.
Palant said the incident began Tuesday morning when officers and fire rescue crews responded to a home in the 400 block of Southwest 177th Avenue for reports that the 2-year-old wasn’t breathing.
First responders began life saving efforts as the child was rushed to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Palant said the toddler had a laceration to her throat and said a knife that investigators believe was used in the incident was found, but said the medical examiner will determine her official cause of death.
Duran and the child’s mother had a parenting plan that allowed time sharing, and Duran had picked the girl up in the morning and brought her to the home, Palant said.
Palant said investigators believe Duran’s grandmother came home during the incident and called police.
“Based on the info we have so far, she arrived at the residence and saw the suspect on top of the 2-year-old child and noticed the child didn’t appear to be breathing at which time she called for 911,” Palant said.
Duran was taken into custody at the home.
“He was questioned by detectives, he spoke with detectives and through his statement it helped establish the probable cause for his arrest, however we don’t have a motive at this time,” Palant said.
Duran was booked into jail, where he remained held without bond.
Court documents show Duran was in a custody battle with the mother of his child in which he admitted to having mental health issues.
Last year, the mother responded to a petition filed by Duran for custody which stated that “the father suffers from mental illness including paranoia and anger issues (punching the wall). He also suffers from anxiety and has been Baker Acted a minimum of five times.”
The record went on to say Duran’s behavior is “erratic, aggressive, violent, and dangerous to the mother and minor child.”
It also said Duran had “suicidal ideations” and had stopped taking his meds.
In another document, Duran admitted he had mental health issues.
Palant said detectives spoke with the toddler’s mother and are investigating Duran’s history.
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Source: NbcMiami
