Welcome to Arrest Stories. A Florida father has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his infant son under deeply disturbing circumstances. Heres what may have happened.
In Ocala, Florida, thirty-eight-year-old James Westervelt has been indicted on a charge of felony first-degree murder, according to Marion County court records filed by prosecutors on July thirtieth. The indictment came approximately two years after the death of a six-month-old infant.
Investigators say that when the baby was just two months old, Westervelt allegedly used a leaf blower on the child, blowing air recklessly at the infant. Westervelt allegedly told investigators he used the leaf blower on the baby because he thought it was funny.
Following the leaf blower incident, the infant was placed on life support. The child died in August of two thousand twenty-four at six months old. Doctors attributed the death to blunt head trauma caused by bouncing the child.
Westervelt had previously been facing child abuse charges stemming from the fatal incident. He remains in custody in Marion County and is due back in court in September.
Additionally, Westervelt was previously charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in May. His next scheduled court date on those charges is August fifth for a pretrial conference.
Westervelt's attorney and the Marion County Sheriffs Office did not immediately return requests for comment.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.