Florida – In a deeply disturbing case in Florida, multiple family members and caregivers have been arrested and indicted in connection with the starvation death of a 7-year-old boy identified as D. Atwell, who was found to have died from severe malnutrition on Christmas Day last year. This incident has highlighted severe lapses in care and potential fraud within the home healthcare system.
The latest arrest in this heartbreaking case involved Jeremy G., Deonte’s uncle, who was taken into custody and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, neglect of a child causing great bodily harm, and failing to report child abuse. This arrest adds to the list of those implicated in Deonte’s death, which include the boy’s 37-year-old mother, identified as M. Doe; his 21-year-old brother, identified as T. Irvin; his 70-year-old grandfather, identified as James G.; a 33-year-old nurse, identified as C. Lassegue; and the 47-year-old owner of the health care provider, identified as M. Moltimer.
Each individual faces serious charges related to the neglect and subsequent death of Deonte, who lived with significant medical conditions, including thoracic spina bifida and hydrocephalus, which necessitated around-the-clock care involving feeding and breathing tubes.
On the evening of Christmas Day, December 25, 2023, law enforcement responded to a 911 call reporting that Atwell was in respiratory distress. Upon arrival at the home, first responders found the boy unresponsive. He was pronounced dead less than an hour later at the hospital. Medical professionals noted that Atwell appeared to have been deceased for some time before the 911 call was made. An autopsy revealed that he weighed less than seven pounds at the time of his death, with bones visible through his skin due to severe malnutrition.
Investigators searching the home discovered 264 unopened bottles of feeding formula, indicating that the boy had not been provided with the necessary nutrition despite its availability. Atwell had been diagnosed at birth as a “medically complex child” with thoracic spina bifida and hydrocephalus. He required around-the-clock skilled nursing care and was attached to a feeding tube and breathing tube. The subsequent investigation uncovered that Atwell’s death was part of a larger scheme to defraud Medicaid, estimated at more than $10,000 but less than $50,000, reportedly orchestrated by those entrusted with his care. Lassegue is accused of falsifying records by claiming she provided care that she did not, contributing to the neglect that led to Atwell’s death.
As of now, the defendants have been arrested and are awaiting trial. Atwell’s mother and brother, Doe and Irvin, face first-degree murder charges, aggravated child abuse, aggravated manslaughter of a child, neglect of a 16-year-old child, and neglect of a 9-year-old child, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty if convicted. James, the child’s grandfather, is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, neglect of a 7-year-old child, and failure to report child abuse, but has been granted a $22,000 bond due to lesser involvement. Both Lassegue and Moltimer are charged with third-degree felony murder, Medicaid provider fraud, child neglect, and aggravated manslaughter. These charges carry severe penalties, including up to 30 years in prison for the aggravated manslaughter charge alone. Lassegue has been additionally charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. Jeremy is charged with aggravated manslaughter, among other charges. Currently, Jeremy is held in the county’s jail with a bond set at $121,000.
This case has not only devastated a family but also raised significant concerns about the oversight of home healthcare providers and the mechanisms in place to protect the most vulnerable. As investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to Deonte’s death, the community and advocacy groups are calling for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent such tragedies in the future. The loss of Deonte is a stark reminder of the critical need for vigilance and care in managing the health and welfare of children, especially those with complex medical needs. The ongoing legal proceedings are closely watched by those advocating for the rights and protection of children in similar medical and living situations.
