COCOA, FL – Two parents in Florida are facing serious charges related to child abuse following the tragic death of one of their three-month-old twins on Thursday. The surviving twin was discovered with severe injuries, according to local law enforcement.
Quentin Smith, 23, has been charged with aggravated child abuse, child neglect resulting in significant bodily harm, and domestic battery, as stated by the Cocoa Police Department. His partner, 18-year-old Hannah Jones, is facing charges of aggravated child abuse, child neglect resulting in significant bodily harm, and failure to report the incident to the police.
The police were alerted to the situation when they received 911 calls about an unresponsive child at a residence on N. Fiske Boulevard. Despite their best efforts, the child could not be revived.
Following the tragic incident, detectives initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death and the severe injuries sustained by the twin sibling. The investigation led to the arrest of Smith and Jones, based on interviews with multiple witnesses and physical evidence collected from the residence.
During the police interviews, Smith confessed to physically abusing both children on several occasions, as reported by Fox Orlando. He allegedly admitted to biting the infants multiple times, pulling one of the children’s arms forcefully, and shaking one to quiet them down.
Jones confessed to the investigators that she was aware of Smith’s abusive behavior but did not report it to the police, according to a police report cited by the news outlet. The police have indicated that the couple may face additional charges.