Florida Dad Who Used Leaf Blower on Baby ‘For a Laugh’ Charged with His Murder

A Florida father accused of using a leaf blower on his infant son because he thought it would be funny is now facing a first-degree murder charge in the baby’s death.

James Westervelt, 38, of Ocala, has been charged in connection with the August 2024 death of his 6-month-old son, according to Marion County court records and local reports.

Westervelt was already behind bars on a child abuse charge involving the same baby when authorities filed the murder case.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Westervelt’s home during the summer of 2024 after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant.

The baby was rushed to a hospital and placed on life support but died several days later.

Doctors determined that the infant died from blunt-force trauma caused by violent shaking, according to ABC affiliate WCJB.

During the investigation, authorities said video emerged showing Westervelt blowing air from a leaf blower at the child during an earlier incident. Investigators claimed Westervelt said he did it because he thought it would be funny.

The footage reportedly led to his arrest on a child abuse charge in April.

Authorities later questioned Westervelt again while he was in jail and said they uncovered contradictions in his account.

“Eventually, once Westervelt was arrested in April this year for child abuse of the same victim, [authorities] were able to interview him again while in jail,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement reported by NBC affiliate WESH.

“He provided enough contradicting evidence. We worked with the state attorney’s office to, basically, charge him with murder.”

Westervelt was initially charged with second-degree murder without premeditation. Prosecutors later dismissed that count and filed a more serious first-degree murder charge with premeditation on Thursday, July 30, court records show.

His next court appearance in the murder case is scheduled for September.

An attorney for Westervelt did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The allegations against him have not yet been proven in court.

Anyone who suspects child abuse can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 or visit Childhelp.org. The free and confidential hotline is available around the clock in more than 170 languages.