Three charged after investigation into starvation death of 3-month-old Florida infant
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Three people, including the mother of a 3-month-old baby boy, have been arrested following a lengthy investigation into the infant’s death after the Medical Examiner determined the child’s manner of death to be homicide, with the cause of death attributed to dehydration and malnutrition – meaning the infant was basically starved to death.
The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office announced that Nicole Maxwell, 27, the child’s mother; Robert Maxwell, 61, the child’s grandfather; and Vikki Koon, 38, Robert Maxwell’s girlfriend, each face charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse. Bond was set at $1.5 million for each defendant.
The investigation began on Aug. 20, 2025, when deputies responded to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center after the infant was brought to the emergency room by his grandparents. Medical personnel told investigators the child had been pronounced dead and displayed injuries and physical conditions consistent with possible neglect.
See Ace News Today’s original report into this tragic death:
Detective Corporal Jennifer Diaz led the investigation, which included detectives, crime scene investigators, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and prosecutors. After an extensive forensic examination, the Medical Examiner concluded the infant died from dehydration Qand malnutrition, prompting homicide findings and the subsequent arrests nearly a year later.
“The death of a child is a tragedy that affects our entire community,” St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro said, praising the investigative team for its work. He added that law enforcement remains committed to protecting vulnerable victims and holding those responsible accountable.
Neighbors interviewed after the arrests described the case as heartbreaking and expressed hope that justice would be served for the child.
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(Sources: St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, WPBF, NBC Miami)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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