POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A 42-year-old Lakeland woman has been arrested and charged in the death of a 3-month-old infant who was in her care, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested Jessica Vlasac on Thursday, charging her with aggravated child abuse resulting in death, a first-degree felony.
According to investigators, deputies responded to Vlasac’s home just before midnight on Sept. 6 after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant. The baby boy was transported to Orlando Health Lakeland, where he was pronounced dead.
Detectives said Vlasac initially told them she had fallen asleep with the infant in bed and later woke to find him face down, unresponsive and cold to the touch. Investigators said she made statements including, “I think I killed our son.”
An autopsy determined the infant suffered subdural hemorrhaging and multiple impact injuries to the head. The medical examiner identified three separate impact injuries, including an L-shaped wound on the child’s forehead that appeared consistent with being caused by a square-shaped object, according to the sheriff’s office.
During a follow-up interview, detectives observed Vlasac wearing a ring with a large square-shaped stone. Investigators later obtained a search warrant for the ring and her electronic devices.
According to the affidavit, Vlasac spontaneously asked investigators whether the ring was what killed the child.
Detectives also reviewed messages sent by Vlasac on the day of the infant’s death. The baby’s father told investigators Vlasac had purchased alcoholic shots earlier in the day and later sent messages stating she had killed the infant. He also told detectives she asked him not to share the messages with investigators.
The medical examiner later examined the ring and concluded the child’s injuries were consistent with being struck by it, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators also said there was no evidence that co-sleeping caused the infant’s death.
Vlasac was booked into the Polk County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.
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