Man indicted in toddler’s death
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (AP) – A grand jury has charged a Brooksville man with first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend’s 1-year-old son.
The Hernando County grand jury announced its indictment Thursday for 19-year-old David Alan McBurnett Jr. The man had initially been charged with aggravated child abuse on Sept. 10. Authorities say he repeatedly hit the toddler for crying. The charge was upgraded to murder several days later when the child died.
The grand jury indictment for first-degree murder means McBurnett would be eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted.
McBurnett is being held without bail.