OCALA, Fla. -- A 10-year-old Florida boy was charged Wednesday with manslaughter in the death of his 2-year-old cousin.
Journee Blyden was found unresponsive and not breathing at a home in Ocala on June 21. She died days later in a Gainesville hospital.
Witnesses said the girl had been playing and accidentally fell out of her crib. However, the medical examiner ruled her death as a homicide.
Investigators said that during an interview, the 10-year-old told them he was running and fell while holding the toddler, causing the injuries. He also told investigators that he accidentally pushed the girl off of a counter top.
The medical examiner said the injuries were not consistent with the statements made by the 10-year-old and said the injuries took excessive force to create.
"We really wanted to get justice for this poor child," said Lauren Lettelier, Marion County Sheriff's Office public information officer.
