PALATKA, Fla. — A 22-year-old Palatka woman has been arrested on felony child neglect charges following a monthslong investigation into the death of her 11-month-old child and a separate juvenile drug overdose occurring in her care, Putnam County authorities announced.
Diamond Bryant, 22, was taken into custody after detectives with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office secured an arrest warrant. She faces charges of Neglect of a Child Causing Great Bodily Harm, Neglect of a Child, and Possession of Marijuana in Excess of 20 Grams. Bryant is currently incarcerated at the Putnam County Jail on a $270,000 bond.
Fatal Infant Incident and Toxicology Findings
The investigation began on December 14, when deputies responded to a residence on North Beech Street regarding an unresponsive 11-month-old infant. Despite life-saving measures performed by witnesses, deputies, and emergency medical personnel, the child was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital.
Investigators learned that Bryant, the biological mother of the infant, had reportedly been giving the child a combination of melatonin, Tylenol, and Benadryl to induce sleep. A medical examiner toxicology report completed on March 18 revealed the presence of melatonin, Benadryl, and cocaine in the infant’s system, with findings indicating the cocaine resulted from prior exposure.
In May, a Child Protection Team physician reviewed the forensic evidence, concluding that the infant suffered neglect due to multiple adults sharing a bed with the child alongside the presence of multiple ingested substances.
Second Juvenile Overdose Investigation
While detectives were awaiting toxicology results from the infant’s death, deputies were dispatched back to the North Beech Street residence for a separate juvenile overdose.
In that incident, a father had left his child in Bryant’s care while he was at work. Upon returning, he was unable to wake the child and sought emergency medical care. The child, who is not related to Bryant, was admitted to a Children’s Hospital and made a full recovery. Medical testing confirmed the child tested positive for THC.
Investigation and Sheriff Statement
Putnam County Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach noted that building the case required extensive forensic work, medical record subpoenas across multiple healthcare facilities, and complex toxicology analyses.
“Due to the complex nature, multiple subpoenas of medical records from different facilities, toxicology, and other forensic evidence, this case took many months of investigation,” Sheriff DeLoach stated. “However, at the end of the day, we must do what is right for the victims, and that is to ensure the state attorney’s office can secure a conviction.”
To protect the identity of the surviving minor, officials are not releasing additional details regarding the second victim.