Tallahassee Police Make Arrest Following Infant’s Death
July 30, 2022
On July 19, around 2:15 p.m., the Tallahassee Police Department responded to Big Bend Hospice, located at 1723 Mahan Drive, in reference to an unresponsive infant who had been left in a vehicle for several hours. Life-saving measures were administered by medical staff of Big Bend Hospice prior to officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arriving at the business. Sadly, the infant was pronounced deceased on scene a short time later.
Following a thorough investigation by TPD’s Violent Crimes Unit, it was determined the infant’s mother, Tia Washington, had inadvertently left her 11-month-old son in the vehicle during her shift at Big Bend Hospice. The infant subsequently died as a result of hyperthermia.
After consultation with the State Attorney’s Office, detectives obtained warrants to charge Washington with aggravated manslaughter of a child. Washington turned herself in to the Leon County Detention Facility on July 29.
TPD reminds citizens to never leave a child alone in a vehicle for any period of time, and if you see or suspect child abuse, say something. Report it by calling TPD at 850-891-4200, Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS or the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
Arrested:
Tia Washington, 28, for aggravated manslaughter of a child.