In a tragic case unfolding in Fort Lauderdale, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the death of a 7-year-old boy, Deonte Atwell, on Christmas Day last year, as confirmed by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. The suspects include the boy's mother, brother, grandfather, and two caregivers, as reported by Local10.
The arrests followed an eight-month inquiry into the child's death, which has been attributed to starvation and aggravated abuse, with the Broward State Attorney's Office revealing haunting details of the child's condition at the time of his discovery, stating his "bones were protruding through gaping holes in his skin," information obtained through autopsy findings according to WFLA.
The joint investigation by local police, the Broward State Attorney’s Office Child Fatality and Abuse Unit, and the State Attorney General’s Statewide Medicaid Fraud Control Unit also uncovered evidence of a scheme to defraud Medicaid, with 264 unopened bottles of Deonte's feeding formula found in the home, Deonte, who required round-the-clock care due to his medical condition, including thoracic spina bifida and hydrocephalus, was not provided the necessary medical services which contributed to his dire state, an issue compounded by the caregivers' blatant neglect and fraud, detailed in a statement obtained by Local10.
Arrested suspects include Michelle Doe, 37, the victim's mother; Tyreck Irvin, 21, the victim's brother; James Graham, 70, the victim's grandfather; along with Mirlande Moltimer, 47, the owner of Samaritin Home Care Provider, Inc., and Cassandre Lassegue, 33, a nurse who was assigned to care for the victim, Detective Jacqueline Sanchez highlighted the tragic missteps and inaction by those charged with Deonte's care, stating, "It’s sad to say that Deonte had suffered all the way through his death by the people that were supposed to be caring for him the most," a sentiment expressed in an interview quoted by Local10.
Charges levied against the individuals include first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child, neglect of a child, failure to report child abuse, and Medicaid fraud, with Judge orders since having Irvin, Lassegue, and Moltimer held without bond while Graham's bond was set at $22,000, and Doe is scheduled for a court appearance with delayed details until tomorrow, the array of charges reflect the seriousness of the allegations and the combined responsibility for Deonte's untimely and preventable death according to an information from WFLA. The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with additional information about the case is urged to contact authorities.
