[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
A Florida father has been arrested after allegedly murdering his 2-year-old daughter Melody Alana Rose Duran.
Jeronimo Anthony Duran was taken into custody by the Pembroke Pines Police Division final week after allegedly slashing his toddler’s throat. The PD revealed in a Fb launch:
“At 9:42 a.m. on Tuesday, Could 28, 2024, members of the Pembroke Pines Police and Hearth Departments responded to a report of an injured baby. First responders entered the house, situated a toddler bleeding profusely from her neck, and instantly started emergency medical care. The kid was rushed to Memorial Regional Hospital, however regrettably died regardless of all life-saving efforts.”
Jeronimo was detained and booked within the Broward County Jail and charged with first diploma homicide. See the complete launch (beneath):
That poor little woman…
A clearer image of the tragedy was later detailed within the 33-year-old’s arrest report. Apparently, he picked up Melody from his ex-girlfriend’s home simply earlier than 7:30 a.m. that day. He then returned to the house he shared together with his grandmother, and at 9:30, she entered the residence to see him allegedly on high of the little woman on the kitchen ground. The grandmother reportedly advised Jeronimo to “get off,” and when he did, she stated Melody was “blue in coloration and discolored.” She known as 911 in one other room, and when she returned to the kitchen, her grandson was apparently kneeling over his daughter, who was bleeding profusely. The grandmother “ran to her room as she didn’t wish to observe something additional.” Jeronimo’s stepfather arrived and tried his finest to offer Melody CPR till cops and paramedics arrived, however sadly to no avail. The entire time, Jeronimo apparently stood silent within the kitchen.
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A police officer who arrived on the scene reported seeing a “slit throughout [Melody’s] throat,” whereas the kitchen ground and a stainless-steel steak knife have been coated in blood.
So utterly heinous… simply really troublesome to even fathom.
In a subsequent questioning, Jeronimo reportedly confessed to strangling his daughter till she was unconscious earlier than reducing her throat with the blade. He additionally claimed he suffers from “psychological sickness,” and that he’d even been dedicated to a psychological well being facility below Florida’s Baker Act prior to now. He additionally admitted he’d stopped taking his antidepressants and had begun smoking marijuana in current weeks, together with on the day he killed Melody.
So horrifying and mindless… And sadly, issues make even LESS sense the extra you hear.
In accordance with court docket docs obtained by NBC Miami, Jeronimo’s ex — Melody’s mom — moved out of the house in March of 2023 due to his “erratic, aggressive, violent and harmful” habits in the direction of her AND their daughter. She made the claims throughout a court docket battle wherein she petitioned for full custody, citing Jeronimo’s psychological well being points. She even claimed he had “a historical past of listening to voices to finish his life, some whereas the kid was with him alone,” however a decide nonetheless accepted a custody plan permitting him unsupervised care.
Along with his first diploma homicide cost, Jeronimo has additionally been charged with aggravated baby abuse. His lawyer David A. Frankel stated in a press release to Individuals:
“Jeronimo has suffered with extreme psychological sickness his complete life. What occurred and why could by no means be identified. In a world of tragedy, that is particularly tragic.”
See extra (beneath):
Relaxation in peace, Melody. Our hearts are with all her family members. Particularly her mom.
When you’ve got honest trigger to suspect baby abuse, name the Childhelp Nationwide Baby Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Baby or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org
[Image via Jeronimo Anthony Duran/Facebook]
