Father Charged in Tragic Death of 5-Week-Old Infant Following Alleged Spanking Incident, Reports Volusia Sheriff

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – This week, authorities apprehended a man from Jacksonville, more than a year after the tragic death of his infant daughter, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.

The deputies reported that the infant, Dahlia Siebenhaar, was taken to the hospital in Daytona Beach in December 2024. She was unresponsive and suffering from critical injuries.

Despite medical efforts, Dahlia never awoke and was removed from life support approximately ten days later, as stated by the deputies.

The official release detailed that medical and autopsy examinations revealed Dahlia had endured substantial head injuries, fractured ribs, widespread bruising, and retinal hemorrhages, all indicative of severe shaking and forceful handling. Her death was ultimately classified as a homicide.

On Tuesday, Jacksonville deputies arrested 27-year-old Dajuan Patrick in connection with Dahlia’s tragic demise.

Investigators disclosed that the evidence pointed to Patrick having violently shaken and spanked the infant, leading to her fatal injuries.

“The arrest in this case won’t bring Dahlia back or give her the childhood she deserved, but today, we’re speaking up for her, because her life mattered,” Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said.

Now, Patrick faces a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child. He is held without bond in Jacksonville pending extradition to Volusia County, deputies added.