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A Florida man has admitted to his role in the tragic shooting death of an 18-month-old girl, but authorities say a web of deception still surrounds the case.
On Wednesday, 21-year-old C.J. Nelson Jr. pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a firearm in connection to the toddler’s death. The shooting occurred over Labor Day weekend in 2023 at a rental home on Ranwood Lane in Palm Coast, a city within the Daytona Beach metro area.
A Frantic 911 Call and a Devastating Loss
Shortly before midnight, a panicked 911 call reported that a baby had been shot in the head. Emergency responders rushed the child to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
At the time of the shooting, eight adults were present inside the home, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. However, investigators quickly became suspicious of the scene.
“During the investigation, it became apparent the crime scene had been tampered with and evidence was likely disposed of and cleaned up,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a press conference last year.
Authorities also believe some of the individuals present, including the child’s biological mother, were not entirely truthful about what happened. The child’s father was not at the scene.
The Weapon and the Unanswered Questions
Sheriff Staly clarified that the toddler never handled the firearm, identifying it as an "American Tactical multi-caliber assault pistol." While Nelson Jr. has now admitted responsibility for the child’s death, questions remain about the moments leading up to the shooting and what happened immediately after.
A Guilty Plea with Uncertain Consequences
Nelson’s plea agreement is unusual. The first page of the legal document states he is pleading guilty, but the second page lists a no-contest plea, leaving ambiguity in his legal stance. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Notably, this was an open plea, meaning there was no negotiated deal with prosecutors for leniency. Nelson’s fate now rests solely in the hands of the judge presiding over the case.
Cover-Up Allegations and a Co-Defendant’s Role
Nelson Jr. is not the only one facing legal consequences. His father, 46-year-old C.J. Nelson Sr., was charged in January 2024 with two counts of tampering with evidence and providing false information to law enforcement.
Sheriff Staly has pointed to Nelson Sr. as the alleged orchestrator of a cover-up.
“He provided instructions on how to stage the scene,” Staly stated. “C.J. Nelson Sr. was seen taking the firearm from his son, using a T-shirt to wipe off fingerprints, and placing it in a bedroom where deputies later discovered it.”
Authorities also claim Nelson Sr. pressured witnesses to provide an alibi, instructing them to tell deputies that both he and his son were outside smoking when the shooting occurred. Afterward, he allegedly told Nelson Jr. to take a shower at a different home while family members remained at the hospital with the dying child.
What’s Next?
As Nelson Jr. awaits sentencing and his father’s case continues to move through the court system, the full truth of what happened that night may still be unfolding.
For now, the toddler’s death remains a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of firearms and the devastating consequences of dishonesty in a criminal investigation.
Stay tuned for more updates on this case and other true crime stories.
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