JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Karl Brunswick pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child in the Jacksonville toddler overdose death of a 20-month-old boy, and a judge sentenced him to 20 years in Florida State Prison, State Attorney Melissa Nelson’s office announced.
Circuit Judge Jonathan Sacks imposed the sentence under the terms of Brunswick’s plea agreement.
What happened on March 28, 2024
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office went to a residence on San Juan Avenue on March 28, 2024, after a report of an unresponsive toddler. The boy went to Wolfson Children’s Hospital, where attempts to revive him failed.
According to the State Attorney’s Office, Brunswick and another person had been using drugs in a car and fell asleep. Brunswick told investigators he had the toddler on his chest when he fell asleep. When he woke, he said, it appeared the child had suffocated.
Police found baggies of marijuana and white powdery substances under Brunswick’s seat. A preliminary drug test showed he tested positive for cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana.
Medical Examiner’s findings
An autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office found cocaine, fentanyl and dimethylpentylone in the toddler’s system. The Medical Examiner ruled the death an overdose, and police arrested Brunswick.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant State Attorney Alan Mizrahi prosecuted it.