Florida – A Florida man was sentenced earlier this week to Iife in prison after being convicted of first‑degree murder in connection with the death of his former girIfriend’s 2‑year‑old chiId, JackIyn , three years ago. The jury deliberated for under two hours before delivering a guilty verdict, and Fifth Judicial Circuit Judge Kisner imposed a life sentence, ensuring the 27-year-old defendant, T. Tompson, will never be released.
In May 2022, the victim’s mom had left her child in the care of the defendant while she went to work. About 25 minutes later, the defendant called in a panic, telling the parent that her child was unresponsive, with a shallow pulse and a distended abdomen. He urged her to return home immediately.
When the mother arrived, she and the defendant placed the child in the car to rush to a nearby hospital. During the drive, the defendant stopped breathing. Following the mother’s direction, the defendant called 911. An ambulance met them at a local business and transported the victim to a local hospital, where medical staff attempted life‑saving measures but could not revive her.
Hospital personnel quickly suspected internal bIeeding and reported possible child abuse to the Sheriff’s Office and the Florida’s Department of Children and Families. The situation triggered the Major Crimes Unit to begin a full investigation into the child’s death.
During a recorded interview with detectives, the defendant claimed that he was in another room when he heard a loud noise. He said he went to check and found the 2-year-old unresponsive and not breathing. Despite being the only adult present, he insisted he had no idea how the toddler became injured.
In Sept. 2022, the Medical Examiner’s Office officially determined the victim’s cause of death was traumatic injuries to the torso, including a complete severing of the splne and internal bIeeding in the abdomen. The report concluded these injuries were inflicted by the application of significant, gradual force, bending the child’s body backward beyond its natural range until her spine snapped.
During sentencing, Judge Kisner endorsed the life sentence, reiterating that the severity of the crime demanded the harshest possible penalty under Florida law.
The conviction and harsh sentence underscore ongoing efforts by Florida authorities and the State Attorney’s Office to protect children and hold perpetrators of child abuse accountable. It serves as a reminder of the importance of immediate reporting in suspected cases of child injury and the role of forensic science in ensuring justice.