In a tragic case that has gripped Jacksonville, a father responsible for the death of his infant son has received his sentencing. Justin Golden, 21, has been sentenced to 30 years behind bars for the heartbreaking incident that resulted in the death of his 8-month-old son, Pablo Kye Golden. The sentencing took place in Duval County court on Friday, bringing a sobering end to a case that began with a heated dispute.
The incident unfolded following an argument between Golden and the child’s mother, which reportedly revolved around baby wipes and money. This disagreement escalated to a fatal event that claimed the young child’s life in September.
Golden originally faced three charges, including vehicular homicide and failure to render aid. However, he pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child, leading prosecutors to drop the other charges as part of a plea agreement.
The case had seen delays in the judicial process. Initially scheduled for sentencing on November 13, it was postponed when the court identified the need for further evidence and witness testimonies. A subsequent request by Golden’s defense lawyer led to another delay on December 12, allowing two additional testimonies to be considered before Judge London Kite delivered the final verdict.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from domestic disputes, urging us to reflect on the importance of seeking resolution without violence.
Golden, 21, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child in the death of his son, Pablo Kye Golden. He originally pleaded not guilty to three charges on Feb. 18. However, as part of the negotiated plea, state prosecutors dropped his vehicular homicide and failure to render aid charge.
Judge Kite gave Golden credit for 328 days of time served.
In a letter Golden wrote to the judge in October, asking for leniency in his sentencing, Golden called the incident an accident.
“I[‘ve] never been in trouble a day in my life,” Golden said in the letter. “Prison is for harder criminal who knows that their intent is to commit a crime. If I’m guilty of anything ma’am, I’d be guilty of an accident that was caused by a mistake.”
What happened?
On the morning of Jan. 25, 2025, police said Golden was driving near the intersection of McDuff and Lenox avenues when he got into an altercation with his son’s mother, who was a passenger. 8-month-old Pablo was also in the vehicle at the time.
Police said the car came to a stop at the intersection, Golden opened the car door and placed the child on the ground. As Golden drove away, the vehicle ran Pablo over.
First responders took Pablo to Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A witness, who was driving directly behind Golden at the time of the incident, followed Golden while on the phone with 911, Golden’s arrest report states.
The 911 operator notified nearby police officers of Golden’s location, and officers conducted a traffic stop near Stockton Street on his vehicle. He was ultimately detained.
During an interview with police, Golden said he got into a verbal fight with Pablo’s mother, who said she wanted to get out of the vehicle.
“Mr. Golden stated he did not want to be responsible for the child, nor accused of anything with the child,” Golden’s arrest report states.
Pablo’s mother was also interviewed by police. She told investigators she got into an argument with Golden over baby wipes and money, according to Golden’s arrest report.
The woman said she did not move Pablo from his car seat and began walking away from the vehicle in an effort to stop the altercation.
She told investigators she heard screaming and when she turned around, she noticed her son lying in the road and Golden’s vehicle gone.
‘I failed as his protector’
Before being sentenced, Golden was allowed to read a prepared statement, which can be watched below.
He told the judge he takes full responsibility for his actions, and that while he did not intend to kill his son, he failed as his protector, as his father and was the “monster” who killed him.
