A Florida couple is facing multiple felony charges following the death of their 3-week-old son, with investigators alleging the infant was intentionally suffocated and the scene later staged to mislead authorities.
Infant Found Unresponsive
Officers with the Hollywood Police Department responded to a home on Thomas Street on Aug. 1, 2025, after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant.
First responders located the baby inside a playpen in a private room, where he was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.
Investigators noted concerning details at the scene, including visible injuries to the child and signs that the area had recently been cleaned.
Mother Accused of Suffocation
Authorities say 21-year-old Crystal Garcia later admitted to placing the baby in a car seat, securing him tightly with a blanket, and positioning him inside a bathtub.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Garcia told investigators she played music, closed the bathroom door, and returned to sleep, ignoring the child’s cries for several hours.
The Broward County Medical Examiner later determined the infant died from suffocation and ruled the death a homicide.
Conflicting Stories and Alleged Cover-Up
Garcia and the child’s father, 25-year-old Anfernee Watts, initially gave investigators conflicting accounts of what happened.
Police say both later admitted to fabricating a story to make it appear the baby had died in his sleep.
Investigators allege Watts disposed of items from the home and attempted to clean the scene, while surveillance footage showed Garcia discarding items shortly before calling 911.
Garcia also reportedly admitted she delayed seeking help because she was afraid of going to jail.
Charges Filed
Garcia is charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, child neglect, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death, and providing false information to law enforcement.
Watts faces similar charges, along with an additional count of obstructing a criminal investigation.
Both are being held without bond in the Broward Main Jail.
Investigation Findings
Detectives said the couple’s statements changed multiple times during the investigation before Garcia provided a more detailed account of the incident.
Family members told investigators the infant had been healthy just days earlier during a routine medical visit.
Authorities say the case highlights deliberate actions and attempts to conceal what happened, rather than an accidental death.
Case Status
Both defendants remain in custody as the case moves forward through the court system.
Officials have not yet announced their next court appearances.
