‘I Was the Monster Who Killed Him’: Florida Father Gets 30 Years for Running Over and Killing 8-Month-Old Son

A 21-year-old Florida man who admitted he ran over and killed his 8-month-old son following an argument with the child’s mother has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Justin Golden spoke in court before the sentence was handed down, telling the judge, “I was the monster who killed him,” according to multiple outlets, including WTLV-TV First Coast News, WKRC and Law & Crime.

Golden was sentenced in Duval County court on Friday, Dec. 19. He previously pleaded guilty in September to vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter in the death of his infant son, Pablo Kye Golden.

The incident happened the morning of Jan. 25, 2025, as Golden and the child’s mother were driving with Pablo in the car. According to an arrest affidavit cited by Law & Crime and WKRC, the couple began arguing while stopped at an intersection in Jacksonville, with the dispute reportedly involving “baby wipes and money.”

Investigators said Golden took the baby out of the vehicle, placed him on the roadway, returned to the driver’s seat and drove forward—running over the child—according to the outlets, citing police.

“In a span of three to four seconds, Pablo Golden went from being safely in the car to being killed and run over by his father,” prosecutor John Kalinowski said in court, WTLV-TV reported.

Authorities said multiple witnesses watched what happened. Law & Crime reported that one woman initially believed Golden had put “a bag of trash” on the ground, but after the vehicle passed over it and “she saw it move,” she realized it was a child.

Paramedics rushed Pablo to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, WKRC reported. Golden left the scene but was later located and arrested.

Before sentencing, Golden read a prepared statement to the court.

“I failed as his protector, as his father,” he said, according to WTLV-TV and WKRC. He added that he did not intend to kill his son, but said, “I know that is not enough.” He apologized to his family and others affected and said he deserved punishment.

Golden’s father and grandfather asked the court for leniency, describing him as nonviolent and calling what happened a tragic mistake, WTLV-TV reported. His defense attorney argued the act was impulsive and noted Golden had no prior criminal record.

Judge London Kite rejected those arguments.

“You were entrusted with him, and you violated that trust,” Kite said, WTLV-TV reported.

“I have seen people exercise more care, caution and concern for a squirrel that darts into the roadway, a lizard that is on the hood of their car,” the judge added, Law & Crime reported.

Kite sentenced Golden to 30 years in Florida State Prison and credited him with 328 days of time served, per WTLV-TV and WKRC.

Pablo’s mother was not in court for the sentencing, WKRC reported.

Relatives have started a GoFundMe to help cover Pablo’s funeral costs. As of Monday, Dec. 22, $6,153 had been raised toward a $10,000 goal.

“Our hearts are so heavy and we are very saddened that our precious little ‘Big Man’ had to leave us so soon…,” Pablo’s grandmother, Evelyn, wrote. “If you all would please keep our family in your prayers because Lord knows that we need Him right now.”