Death of Toddler, 2, Covered in Bruises and Scars ‘Similar’ to Cigarette Burns Leads to Arrest of Mom and Boyfriend

A Florida mother and her boyfriend have been arrested following the death of her 2-year-old son earlier this week.

Authorities say Christian Parnell and Curtis David Willey, both 33, face charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and are being held without bail at the Suwannee County Jail.

According to a probable cause affidavit, medical staff noted that the child was swollen, covered in bruises, and bore scarring consistent with cigarette burns.

The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call from the couple’s home just after 3 p.m. on Oct. 13, reporting an unresponsive child. Despite life-saving efforts, the boy was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital.

Investigators observed injuries “consistent with ongoing physical abuse and prolonged neglect,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. The release added that the boy “exhibited significant bruising, swelling, and other trauma inconsistent with the explanations provided by the child’s caregivers.”

Authorities conducted extensive interviews and gathered evidence before obtaining arrest warrants for both Parnell and Willey. Sheriff Sam St. John said that additional charges could follow once the medical examiner releases the toddler’s autopsy results.

In the affidavit, Investigator Bradley Griffin wrote that when he arrived at the hospital, medical staff pointed out that the boy “presented with abnormal swelling to his head, multiple bruises on the legs and groin, and various scars similar to that of a cigarette burn.”

When questioned, Parnell allegedly told investigators her son “was playing with another four-year-old in the bedroom and fell off the bed, striking his face.”

Willey reportedly told investigators he was in the living room at the time and heard a loud bang that “sounded like someone hitting metal” coming from the room where the children were playing. He said the toddler had a “bloody injury to his mouth” and “swelling to the forehead,” but otherwise appeared fine.

According to the affidavit, a week later the child began showing concerning symptoms. A few hours before the 911 call, Willey phoned Parnell at work to say the boy needed medical help. He told investigators the toddler’s eyes were “rolling” and that he could hear “gurgling” sounds.

Parnell later admitted she should have sought medical attention sooner.

The affidavit stated: “Parnell and Willey grossly and flagrantly disregarded the medical needs of [the victim], to the extent that he ultimately succumbed to injury and passed away.”

It continued: “Parnell and Willey willfully failed or omitted to provide a child with the care, supervision, and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health, including medicine and medical services that a prudent person would consider essential for the wellbeing of the child.”

Both Parnell and Willey remain in custody and have not yet made their first court appearance.