14-Year Old Boy Facing Murder Charges After Killing Toddler He Was Babysitting

Jacksonville, FL — Jonathan Godwin, a 14-year old boy from Florida, has been arrested for the alleged murder of a 3-year old girl that he had been babysitting. Godwin was accused of repeatedly hitting the toddler in her chest, back, legs, and head with his fist and a belt in an attempt to stop her from crying.

The teen was reportedly “left in charge to babysit” the victim and two other small children when the incident happened on August 16.

“While watching the victim for several hours, [Godwin] became annoyed with the victim for crying and repeatedly hit her. The victim was found unresponsive by [Godwin’s] mother, and was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased,” Jacksonville Police said in a press release.

Moreover, police discovered in an investigation that Godwin had a history of “abusing and burning another small child.”

Godwin was arrested after admitting to the abuse and that he was involved in the little girl’s death, which was ruled a homicide. He is now being held on murder and aggravated child abuse charges. It has yet been determined if his mother will face charges as well.