Man Guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child in Infant Death

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Charles Deas III was found guilty by a jury of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child. With the verdict, Deas faces up to 30 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Jeb Branham will sentence Deas during a hearing the week of Aug. 30, 2022.

On June 7, 2018, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to an apartment on Labelle Street to assist the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department with an unresponsive infant. The young child was transported to Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital but later died. The Medical Examiner’s Office listed the cause of death as homicide — the infant had several injuries, including broken ribs. An investigation revealed that Deas was the sole caretaker of the child at the time of the crime, as the child’s mother was away to purchase food for the family. Deas’ story as to what happened to the child during that time changed throughout the investigation, which led to his arrest.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State
Attorneys Chyna Makarowski and Alan Mizrahi.