The 4-year-old boy who was apparently choked early Monday at a mobile home in Palatka has died, officials said.
The boy wasn’t breathing and had marks on his neck when deputies found him about 4 a.m. at the home in the Westover Trailer Park, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
He was taken in critical condition to a hospital in Gainesville, where he died Tuesday afternoon, deputies said.
While investigating, deputies said they identified an 11-year-old boy, who was living in the mobile home, as a possible suspect.
More Top Picks When Does The Winter Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 Start
He was arrested Monday on charges of aggravated battery with great bodily harm, the Sheriff’s Office said.
An autopsy will be completed on the 4-year-old to determine his cause of death, though deputies said they believe he died by strangulation.
After that, deputies will then meet with prosecutors to determine if the 11-year-old should face any additional charges, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies said there were 12 people – six adults and six children ranging in age from one to 11 years old – living in the mobile home.
It’s unclear what led up to the incident, or if the boys are related.
[email protected] or 407-420-5417.