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Death of toddler found unresponsive in Ocala home ruled homicide

A toddler’s death has been ruled a homicide, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Journee Blyden, 2, was found unresponsive at an Ocala home on June 21.

OCALA, Fla. — The child’s mother was away at the time of the incident. Authorities said there were people caring for the child.

"Witnesses on scene told us that she was jumping around in her play pen and fell out of the play pen," said Lauren Lettelier of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

But a medical examiner ruled Journee's death a homicide, authorities said.

"Her parents deserve to know what happened to her," said Lettelier. "These injuries were not caused by a fall."

Journee suffered head trauma and was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center, but because of the severity of her injuries, she was flown to UF Health in Gainesville for further treatment, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Doctors determined that she had no brain activity, and Journee was pronounced dead last Friday.
MCSO major crimes detectives said they are following up on leads and are speaking to witnesses to try to find out how the child suffered her injuries.

Deputies have not released the names of the people who were in the home.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 352-368-3548 or Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-7867.

On a side note, Channel 9 find out that Journee's father Kendall Blyden is behind bars awaiting trial for allegedly killing his girlfriend's baby two years ago.

Cox Media Group

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