Horror as dad accused of ‘using leaf-blower on baby son until he died’ | World | News

A man who is alleged to have used a leaf blower on his baby son has been charged with the tot’s murder. James Westervelt, 38, from Ocala, Florida, reportedly thought the stunt was funny.

He has been charged with the death of his son, who was six-months-old at the time of his death in August 2024. Mr Westervelt had already been detained for child abuse charges relating to his son, according to US media.

Police from Marion County Sheriff’s Office were called to Mr Westervelt’s home after receiving reports of an unresponsive infant, according to local broadcaster, WESH.

The boy was taken to hospital and put on life support, but he died a few days later.

His cause of death was recorded by medics as blunt force trauma caused by violent shaking, ABC-affiliated WCJB reported.

Mr Westervelt allegedly appears in a video which surfaced after his son’s death in which the father can be seen using a leaf-blower on his child.

It allegedly happened before the baby sustained fatal injuries in a separate incident. The video reportedly led to Mr Westervelt being arrested on suspicion of child abuse.

News outlet, WCJB, reported that Mr Westervelt claimed to have directed the leaf-blower on his son as he thought it would be funny.

Official records show Mr Westervelt was initially charged with second-degree murder without premeditation.

Prosecutors then dismissed the charge and refiled a first-degree murder charge with premeditation on Thursday, July 30. He is due to appear in court in September.