HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A chilling case of alleged neglect and deception involving a couple in Broward County has emerged following the tragic death of their three-week-old son. Police arrested Crystal Garcia, 21, and Anfernee Watts, 25, on April 8 after determining that their child had suffocated, leading to charges of aggravated manslaughter and child neglect against both parents.
The investigation began on August 1, 2025, when emergency responders arrived at the couple’s home in the 6000 block of Thomas Street after receiving a report about an unresponsive infant. On arrival, medics found the baby in a playpen and pronounced him dead shortly thereafter. Initial statements from the parents raised red flags for investigators, suggesting a possible cover-up regarding the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
Garcia initially claimed she had fed the baby and returned to sleep only to later discover he had gone silent. However, Watts’ account of leaving home for a job interview soon unraveled, as investigators found no evidence to substantiate his claims. They also noted that the parents shared a single cellphone, which had remained in the home during the supposed emergency.
As detectives probed further, they noticed inconsistencies in the parents’ narratives and the physical condition of the apartment. Inside the child’s room, investigators observed the baby lying face up with signs of distress, including cracked lips and dried blood. In the bathroom, a strong odor of bleach and signs of recent cleaning were evident, hinting that the scene might have been tampered with before authorities arrived.
A breakthrough came when surveillance footage revealed Garcia disposing of a large white garbage bag and cleaning equipment outside the home shortly before the 911 call was placed. In later admissions, Watts confessed to discarding baby items from the residence, while further evidence indicated efforts to obstruct the investigation.
Garcia later provided a detailed and alarming account, claiming she had tightly wrapped the baby with a pacifier and even secured it to prevent spitting it out. She acknowledged ignoring his cries for several hours before discovering he was unresponsive. Instead of seeking immediate medical assistance, she allegedly manipulated the scene to mislead authorities about the child’s cause of death.
The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office subsequently ruled the death a homicide, confirming suffocation as the cause. Their findings were instrumental in moving forward with charges against the parents. Furthermore, records revealed Garcia had left a voicemail to law enforcement admitting her role in the child’s suffocation, which added weight to the evidence against her.
Garcia now faces multiple charges, including aggravated manslaughter, child neglect, tampering with physical evidence, failing to report a death, and giving false information to police. Watts is similarly charged, with the addition of obstructing a criminal investigation for his role in concealing the tragic event.
Both suspects are currently held at the Broward Main Jail without bond. The intricate case has unfolded over the past months, drawing attention not only to the horrific loss of the infant but also to the alleged actions of the parents as detectives piece together the timeline leading to the child’s death. Court proceedings are expected to provide further developments in the ongoing investigation, though the couple remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The child’s death has been classified as a homicide by suffocation, and authorities continue to gather evidence for the case, with upcoming court dates anticipated to shed more light on the situation.