Dad who used leaf blower on his child son in deadly prank charged with homicide
James Westervelt, 38, allegedly told investigators he used the powerful tool on the child because he “thought it would be funny”
James Westervelt, 38(Image: Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
A father has been charged with murder after his six-month-old son died following an incident with a leaf blower. Police officers were called to the home of James Westervelt, 38, in Belleview, Florida following reports of an unresponsive infant in the summer of 2024.
The child was rushed to hospital and placed on life support before he tragically died days later. Doctors said the death was attributed to blunt force trauma caused by violent shaking and bouncing.
Westervelt allegedly told investigators he used the powerful tool on the infant because he “thought it would be funny”. Police later stated video showing Westervelt using the leaf blower on the same child during a previous incident was also found.
The child lost their life several days after the incident (Stock)
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated: “Eventually, once Westervelt was arrested in April this year for child abuse of the same victim, [authorities] were able to interview him again while in jail. It had been a couple of years since he provided his initial statement. He provided enough contradicting evidence. We worked with the state attorney’s office to, basically, charge him with murder.”
Investigators have stated Westervelt claimed he used the leaf blower on his six-month-old son because he thought it would be funny.
Arrest and public court records showed Westervelt was initially charged with second-degree murder without premeditation. However prosecutors went on to dismiss the charges and refile a first degree murder charge with premeditation on July 30.
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