An Orlando man who allegedly shook his 3-month-old son so severely that the child died of brain injuries is now facing an aggravated manslaughter charge, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
The child, Noah, was hospitalized in January of 2023, and authorities arrested Malcolm Nelson that October on a charge of aggravated child abuse. The child had fractures and other injuries “from physical abuse, including violent shaking,” doctors found.
“Noah never showed signs of recovery and was on life support in the hospital until April of this year, when he was released to hospice care at home. He died a few days later at the age of 3 1/2,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Nelson charged with manslaughter while in Volusia County jail
Nelson, 34, had been in custody since June 23 over a probation violation for the aggravated child abuse charge. He had previously pleaded no contest to that charge and was sentenced to “180 days in jail, 2 years community control, and 13 years probation.”
Detectives served the aggravated manslaughter warrant on June 26 with Nelson still in the Volusia County Branch Jail.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood had announced plans to pursue upgraded charges if autopsy and medical records supported it.
“This week, the final medical examiner’s report was submitted and indicated Noah’s death was a homicide, with the cause of death being complications of abusive head trauma,” the sheriff’s office stated on June 26.
— Sheldon Gardner covers Volusia County government, including Volusia County beaches, the city of Daytona Beach and local governments in West Volusia. Reporter Patricio Balona contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Man charged with manslaughter in Volusia after shaken son dies
Reporting by Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
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By Sheldon Gardner, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
