JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Police officers say they're horrified by what they saw inside a Baymeadows Road home.
Police say shortly before 9 p.m. Friday, a 4-year-old girl's parents called 911 saying there was medical emergency. When rescue crews arrived, they say they saw clear signs of abuse and called JSO.
“The child did appear to have physical abuse signs, if you will, and the child is deceased right now and that's what we're going on," said Sgt. Michael Paul, with JSO’s homicide team.
The 4-year-old girl was rushed to Wolfson Children's Hospital but died before she arrived. That's when JSO declared this a homicide investigation.
“I said, 'What's happening here and how come Action News is here?' And when you told us I just couldn't believe it,” said Paticia Butora, a neighbor.
Around 4 a.m. Saturday police got a search warrant and entered the apartment. Our cameras were rolling as detectives worked to find any clues to the crime.
"They're reprehensible, that's all there is to it. I mean, a child is a child and anyone who does things like that to a child should be dealt with very harshly,” said Frank Gesule, a neighbor.
Police say a 6-year-old and a 1-year-old were also in the home. They are now under the care of the Department of Children and Families.
Police have not released the parents' names.
WJAX
