TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The cause of death remains "undetermined," for a 7-month-old boy who police said was found dead inside a cooler in the back yard of a Titusville home on S. Deleon Avenue (see map) on Monday, pending toxicology results, which is approximately two weeks, according to the Medical Examiner's Office.
The boy's babysitter, 40-year-old Carolyn Renee Miller, is being held in the Brevard County jail after she told police where to find the body. Police said the investigation is being called a homicide.
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Miller told the court Tuesday that she's indigent. Her combined bond amount is $150,000.
"Ms. Miller, it looks like you were arrested on charges of child neglect and improper disposal of a human body. I find probable cause for your arrest. Are you able to hire a lawyer to help you with these charges?" a judge asked Miller.
"No sir," she replied.
Miller was appointed a public defender.
Investigators said Miller led them to the home being rented by her boyfriend, and in the back yard police found Ja-Von Brushan dead inside an Igloo cooler.
Image: Ja-Von Brushan 01/25/11 Ja-Von Brushan Titusville residents watched as police lifted a small blue tarp behind the home.
"She said she gave the baby back to the mom and the mom said she didn't. And you get a real bad feeling in your stomach," said Titusville Police Chief Tony Bollinger.
The baby's mother, Janelle Richardson, was questioned Monday afternoon by Titusville police. She told investigators she allowed Miller to baby-sit on Tuesday.
On Thursday, relatives told WFTV Miller made a stop for diapers and milk. But later, when Richardson tried to reach Miller to get her son, she couldn't be found. Brushan was reported missing on Sunday.
Richardson's cousin, Latanya Burch, spotted Miller Monday morning without her cousin's baby.
"I said, 'Where's the baby?' And she kept telling different lies. Nothing added up," Burch said.
When Burch pointed Miller out to police, they began asking their own questions. They said Miller told them she fell asleep and when she woke up, she found the baby dead. She then disposed of the body.
"I think it's a damn shame to kill a baby like that," Burch said.
Miller has a history of problems with the law and with state agents who look after families. The Department of Children and Families wouldn't share specifics, but said it's familiar with Miller.
However, Miller's sister, Lisa Madden, told WFTV she doesn't believe Miller could have harmed the boy or any child.
"She wouldn't hurt that baby. She would never hurt that baby," said Madden. "She really cared about that baby."
"She probably panicked. You don't know the state of mind when panicking," said Madden. "You find a baby dead, you know she probably wasn't thinking at the time."
Miller also has a criminal history dating back to 1993. It includes charges for shoplifting, disorderly conduct and both marijuana and cocaine possession.
Monday night, Titusville police charged Miller in connection to the case. Miller is charged with felony child neglect as well as improper disposal of human remains.
"I'm very devastated. My heart goes out to her very much, you know I've been crying and stuff and just hurt with the whole situation that's been going on," said Madden.
Investigators said other charges could be filed in the case pending toxicology results on the baby.