Parents Arrested After Infant’s Death
A Florida couple has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of their 7-week-old daughter, who investigators say suffered fatal head injuries consistent with violent shaking.
Robert Lee Ingram Jr., 22, and Gracie Jai Tellez, 20, were arrested in Jacksonville on Aug. 7 with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Both face charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or permanent disfigurement.
The case began on Oct. 14, 2025, when Tellez called 911 and reported that her infant daughter was cold, pale and unresponsive. Police and emergency medical personnel arrived at the family’s Hollywood residence and performed CPR before taking the baby to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
The child was placed on life support but was declared brain dead four days later. She was subsequently removed from life support.
Medical Examiner Rules Infant’s Death a Homicide
According to investigators, the Broward County Medical Examiner determined that the baby’s death resulted from complications related to blunt head trauma and classified the manner of death as homicide.
Police said the injuries were consistent with a violent impact involving repeated acceleration and deceleration of the infant’s head and neck. Investigators said the evidence did not provide a reasonable explanation for how the child sustained the fatal injuries.
The parents initially told investigators that the baby had appeared normal, had been fed a bottle and was placed in her bassinet for a nap before she was discovered unresponsive.
Authorities later said the couple gave differing accounts about what happened before the medical emergency.
Police Say Parents Gave Conflicting Accounts
Investigators also alleged that Ingram and Tellez made false statements about using FaceTime to monitor their daughter. According to the arrest investigation, the couple was actually playing video games and watching YouTube videos rather than monitoring the infant as they had claimed.
Police said the conflicting accounts and alleged false statements raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the baby’s injuries. Authorities further alleged that neither parent provided an adequate explanation for the child’s fatal head trauma.
Both suspects have denied involvement in causing the injuries, according to investigators. Their attorneys said they invoked their right to remain silent.
Ingram and Tellez are being held separately in Broward County jails without bond. A judge also ordered that they have no contact with children while the case proceeds.
The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
