Florida Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in Citra Child Murder Case

Florida prosecutors have officially filed a notice to seek the death penalty against 32-year-old Jeroen Jarrel Coombs. He stands accused of the brutal murder of his girlfriend’s three-year-old daughter, Paisley Brown, in a case that has horrified the community of Citra.

The incident took place on February 19, 2026, while the child's mother, Jennifer Kendrick, was away from the home. Investigators allege that Coombs was left in charge of five young children during this period.

Court documents reveal that Coombs allegedly bound the toddler’s wrists with a robe tie and secured her legs using painter’s tape. He then reportedly inflicted severe physical trauma upon the defenseless child, leading to her death.

Medical examinations conducted after the incident uncovered extensive bruising across the victim’s chest and private areas. Investigators also documented clear ligature marks on the child’s wrists and ankles, confirming the violent nature of the restraints used.

Coombs was indicted last month on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. Prosecutors have since added a charge of capital sexual battery on a child under the age of 12 to the case.

The Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office filed the formal notice for the death penalty on April 22, 2026. This decision underscores the extreme violence described in the indictment and the gravity of the charges.

Other children present in the home during the incident reportedly informed investigators that they had also suffered physical abuse at the hands of Coombs. These accounts have added significant complexity to the ongoing criminal investigation.

Jennifer Kendrick, the mother of the victim, has also been arrested in connection with the tragedy. She faces charges of aggravated manslaughter and child neglect after admitting she was aware of previous abuse in the home.

Attorneys representing Kendrick have filed an insanity defense as the legal proceedings move forward. Meanwhile, Coombs remains held without bond at the Marion County detention facility.

This case has sparked widespread outrage and serves as a grim reminder of the importance of child protection. It highlights the severe consequences of failing to safeguard vulnerable youth from known dangers within the home environment.