A 32-year-old man is behind bars on an aggravated child abuse charge after a 3-year-old girl was found unresponsive at a Citra home yesterday. The child, identified by the family as Paisley Brown, was rushed to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Authorities say the suspect has admitted to causing the injuries that led to her death.
What deputies say
According to WFTV, Marion County deputies arrested 32-year-old Jeroen Jarrel Coombs following a homicide investigation and charged him with aggravated child abuse. Deputies were called to the 16500 block of NE 44th Avenue in Citra after a report that a child was unresponsive. Medics took Paisley to a hospital, where she died a short time later. Investigators detained Coombs at the scene while detectives interviewed witnesses.
How investigators say it unfolded
Detectives told ClickOrlando and WCJB that Coombs tied the girl's hands with a robe belt and wrapped her legs with painter's tape. While she was still bound, investigators say he dropped her and hit her multiple times.
A juvenile witness reported hearing Coombs strike Paisley and described previous incidents of physical abuse, according to deputies. Detectives noted bruises on the child's body and what appeared to be possible ligature marks. Investigators say Coombs told the child's mother around 10:58 a.m. that Paisley was unresponsive but did not call 911 himself. A 911 call was made roughly 40 minutes later.
Charges and next steps
Coombs is charged with aggravated child abuse and is being held without bond while Major Crimes detectives coordinate with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office on potential additional charges, pending the Medical Examiner's cause-and-manner report, according to FOX13. Court documents cited by WTSP show a detective requested that no bond be set. Prosecutors say they will consider further counts after the Medical Examiner releases its findings.
Community context
Paisley was publicly identified in a post by her mother, local outlets report, and news of her death has rattled families across Marion County. Reporting from Ocala‑News notes that this case comes amid a string of recent violent deaths in the county that investigators have been handling this winter. Neighbors and community groups say they are searching for answers while detectives continue the homicide investigation.
Legal note
Under Florida law, aggravated child abuse is defined in Florida Statute 827.03 as a first-degree felony when it involves aggravated battery, torture, or causes great bodily harm. Penalties can include decades in prison, according to the Florida Statutes. The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office will decide whether to file additional charges after the Medical Examiner's report is complete.
