Florida man charged with first-degree murder after infant dies from leaf blower incident
James Westervelt, 38, was indicted on first-degree murder charges for the death of his six-month-old son, who died after a leaf blower was used on him.
In Marion County, Florida, 38-year-old James Westervelt was charged with first-degree murder after his six-month-old son died from injuries linked to a leaf blower. Investigators allege that when the child was two months old, Westervelt used the device on the infant, resulting in blunt-force trauma. The baby was placed on life support but succumbed in August 2024.
Westervelt, already under custody for child-abuse allegations tied to the incident, also faces pending charges for possession of methamphetamine and related paraphernalia, with a pre-trial conference set for August 5. He has not commented, and his attorney has not responded to inquiries.
Why it matters
The case highlights severe child-abuse concerns and raises questions about legal accountability for fatal injuries caused by reckless actions.
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