Justin Golden, 20, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child in the death of his son Pablo Kye Golden.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Editor’s Note: The following content may be disturbing to some readers.
A father admitted guilt in Duval County court Wednesday concerning a charge connected to the passing of his 8-month-old son, who was tragically run over and killed in January.
Justin Golden, 20, confessed to the charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child in relation to his son Pablo Kye Golden’s death. Initially, Golden entered a not guilty plea to this charge and to vehicular homicide on February 18.
However, state prosecutors dropped his vehicular homicide charge as part of the negotiated plea.
Judge London Kite accepted the plea and set a sentencing date of Nov. 13. Golden faces a maximum prison sentence of 30 years.
What happened?
According to police reports, on the morning of January 25, Golden was driving close to the intersection of McDuff and Lenox avenues when he became involved in a disagreement with a woman seated beside him. His 8-month-old son, Pablo, was also inside the vehicle at that time.
Authorities state that the vehicle stopped at the intersection, at which point Golden opened the door and placed the infant on the road. When Golden drove off, the car tragically ran over Pablo.
First responders took Pablo to Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A witness trailing Golden’s vehicle immediately contacted 911 while pursuing him, as indicated in Golden’s arrest records.
The 911 dispatcher alerted nearby law enforcement officers regarding Golden’s whereabouts. Consequently, officers intercepted his vehicle near Stockton Street, leading to his eventual detention.
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 an arrest report. The woman said she did not move the child 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 turned around and noticed the child in the road and Golden’s vehicle gone.
