Vero Beach man charged in brutal murder of girlfriend’s two-year-old daughter
Yesterday, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in Vero Beach, Florida, shared the following tragic news regarding the arrest of a man involved in the death of a two-year-old girl. On August 24, at approximately 8:14 a.m., deputies and EMS personnel responded to the 6900 block of 30th Square in response to a 911 caller reporting that a two-year-old child had drowned in the bathtub.
Dispatchers provided CPR instructions to the caller, Deshawn Clark, 22, of Vero Beach. Clark was later identified as the suspect in the death of that child.
The little girl was transported to Cleveland Clinic by EMS where she was pronounced dead at 8:53 a.m. Clark was the live-in boyfriend of the victim’s mother.
Clark told responding deputies that he found the victim in the bathtub and started CPR until EMS arrived. This version of events was contradicted by EMS personnel who reported the victim was dry and wearing a dry diaper.
An autopsy conducted on August 25 revealed the toddler had suffered:
- a laceration on the left side of her head,
- bruising on her chest,
- linear marks on the back of her legs,
- a bruise on her left temple,
- an abrasion on her left hip,
- a bruise under her left eye,
- additional bruising on her neck,
- hemorrhaging on her hyoid bone,
- blood in her abdomen,
- a laceration to her liver,
- fractured ribs close to her spine, and,
- a swelling to her brain.
The autopsy further revealed the injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma – and not someone attempting CPR. The injuries on and around the victim’s neck were consistent with her being intentionally choked. The death was classified as a homicide resulting from multiple injuries, trauma to the torso, and asphyxiation.
After the results of the autopsy, Clark changed his statement to detectives several times, ultimately admitting to being untruthful about certain details; but he denied knowledge of the trauma to the victim.
Clark was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder. He is currently being held in the Indian River County Jail without bond.
Online records show that Clark was last arrested on April 20 at 10:15 p.m..for driving with a suspended or revoked license. In that instance, he was released after paying a $500 bond.
(Cover image – Deshawn Clark Booking Photo, Image credit: Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)
(Source: Indian River County Sheriff’s Office)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
