TALLAHASSEE, FL – A Tallahassee man has been charged with murder after police say he fatally beat a 1-year-old girl who had been left in his care overnight by his girlfriend, the child’s babysitter.
Deric Young, 25, faces charges of murder while committing aggravated child abuse, as well as aggravated battery on a child. He was arrested Monday after authorities responded to an emergency call regarding an unresponsive child in a home on Saxon Street, police said.
First responders attempted to revive the toddler before rapidly transporting her to a hospital, but she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Investigators initially believed they were dealing with a routine death investigation but soon uncovered evidence indicating foul play.
According to police, an autopsy revealed the child died as a result of multiple severe blows to the head, inflicted with closed fists. The medical examiner reported additional traumatic injuries, including acute swelling and bleeding of the brain, as well as a fractured femur, which would have left the child in extreme pain and unable to move freely.
As the case developed, detectives learned that Young was supposed to be watching the child and her sibling while his girlfriend was away. Authorities brought Young in for questioning, where he first denied any wrongdoing. However, confronted with the child’s injuries and forensic evidence, police say he eventually broke down and admitted to striking the child multiple times on both sides of her head.
Young reportedly told investigators that he had smoked marijuana shortly before the incident and insisted he was “playing” with the toddler at the time. He described using both fists to hit her head and face. When asked about the broken femur, Young allegedly confessed to intentionally striking the girl’s thigh with his fist.
During interviews, Young maintained that he did not intend to kill the child, claiming he never realized such force could be fatal. He said that after the assault, he left the child in the bedroom with her brother and then later returned to find her unresponsive. At that point, he called for help, and 911 was dispatched.
Despite his admissions, Young allegedly asserted that he would not treat his own daughter in the same manner and claimed he was under stress and sleep deprivation at the time.
Young is currently being held without bond at the Leon County Jail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday as the investigation continues.