Couple Who Claimed Toddler ‘Fell’ in Bathtub Arrested After Post-mortem Uncovers Chilling Particulars

The kid’s mom, Zayla Goodwin, 20, and her boyfriend, Nathaniel Davis, 23, have been each taken into custody final week, in accordance with a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Workplace press launch, and are actually dealing with a number of costs in relation to her loss of life.

Goodwin was charged with aggravated manslaughter whereas her boyfriend was hit with a first-degree homicide cost, aggravated little one abuse, tampering with proof, and two counts of sexual battery.

All of this got here after the medical expert decided on December 4, 2024, that the kid’s loss of life was a murder. Their workplace discovered proof of blunt pressure trauma, in addition to methamphetamine within the toddler’s system.

The couple had already been charged with neglect after police have been referred to as to their residence a couple of medical emergency on September 10, 2024. There, they discovered Foe in cardiac arrest, unresponsive, and affected by “a number of accidents,” per News4Jax.

After being rushed to the hospital in what the arrest warrant described as “life threatening situation,” and docs “not optimistic” of her survival, Foe died September 18.

Goodwin informed police, in accordance with the possible trigger affidavit seen by Legislation & Crime, that she awoke that day to Davis yelling that he’d discovered the toddler face-down on her mattress. He was performing CPR on the toddler, per Goodwin’s assertion.

Investigators found that Foe had suffered fractures in a single arm and each of her legs. In addition they reported ligature marks round her neck, in addition to proof of bruising and scratching “over the complete physique.” The physique additionally revealed proof having been sexually abused.

The couple’s residence was additionally investigated, the place authorities uncovered bloody bandages, bloody diapers within the trash, and bloody blankets close to Foe’s mattress, in accordance with the arrest warrant, in addition to medicine and drug paraphernalia.

In addition they spoke with a lady who informed them Goodwin, Davis, and Foe had moved in along with her 5 days earlier than the kid was taken to the hospital. She informed sheriff’s deputies she’d requested about Foe’s accidents, and significantly why she appeared to have stopped strolling.

They stated Goodwin’s response was that the toddler “fell within the bathtub” per week in the past, per the affidavit, when Davis was bathing her at their earlier residence.

Police spoke with a medical skilled with First Coast Baby Safety Staff, who suggested {that a} little one with leg accidents like these discovered on Foe would have been unable to bear their very own weight “given the extent of those fractures and the anticipated diploma of ache skilled.”

They stated that the leg fractures alone “would have brought about intense ache and any cheap caretaker would have sought medical consideration.” Primarily based on an examination of the kid, the professionals believed the accidents have been lower than 10 days previous on the time of her loss of life.

The newborn’s father, Brandon Foe, spoke with News4Jax concerning the lack of his daughter, and appeared happy with the elevated costs for Goodwin and Davis.

“When the detectives confirmed me all of the proof they informed me about, I knew I’d be silly to consider they did not do it on objective,” he informed the outlet. “The ready sport has been the toughest factor about it however now they upgraded the costs, I do know they’re going about it the best way they stated they have been going to go about it.”

He additionally expressed his personal ache that he had been unable to assist his daughter. “It hurts me realizing that I couldn’t be there as a father to guard my daughter,” he stated. “I’m certain every part goes to go the best way it is alleged to. I simply hope they get punished in probably the most approach they’ll.”

Each Goodwin and Davis are being held within the Jefferson County Jail with out bond.