A Marion County man was arrested Wednesday night after detectives say he beat a 3-year-old girl to death inside a northeast Marion County home.
Major Crimes Detective Karla Santana-Palau with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested 32-year-old Jeroen Jarrel Coombs on a charge of aggravated child abuse in connection with the death of Paisley Brown.
Deputies responded around noon on February 19 to a residence in the 16500 block of NE 44th Avenue after receiving a report that Paisley was unresponsive. Medics transported the child to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
According to investigators, deputies were told upon arrival that Coombs had harmed the child and was attempting to leave the home. He was detained for questioning as Major Crimes detectives began a homicide investigation.
Detectives learned through interviews that Coombs had been home alone with the children earlier that morning. Around 10:58 a.m., he notified the child’s mother that Paisley was unresponsive. Investigators say he did not call 911 at that time. Approximately 40 minutes later, a 911 call was placed.
A juvenile witness told detectives he heard Coombs strike Paisley and disclosed prior incidents of physical abuse.
During an interview with Detectives Santana-Palau and Paxton, Coombs initially claimed the child appeared groggy after waking up. Investigators confronted him with evidence of bruising and ligature marks, at which point he admitted to causing the injuries that led to her death.
According to the arrest report, Coombs told detectives he had bound the child’s hands with a robe tie and her legs with painter’s tape the night before. He stated that he picked her up while she was still restrained and dropped her on the floor, after which she began gasping for air. He admitted to striking her multiple times before realizing he had gone too far. When asked why he did not immediately call 911, Coombs told detectives he was scared.
Coombs was transported to the Marion County Jail, where he is being held without bond.
Major Crimes detectives are continuing to work with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office. Additional charges are pending the results of the official cause and manner of death report.
