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Death penalty sought for man who sexually abused, murdered toddler

Posted at 4:58 PM, Oct 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-23 23:42:47-05

UPDATE 11/23/2020

The State Attorney’s Office is seeking the death penalty against Nicholas Stephen Canfield.

The 25-year-old was indicted in October for First Degree Murder, Sexual Battery, and three counts of Aggravated Child Abuse.

According to reports, Canfield murdered the two-year-old child on or about April 29 in Lee County.

The indictment charges the additional crimes that happened on one or more occasions between March 1, and April 29.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation. Assistant State Attorney Francine Donnorummo, Special Victims Unit Chief, and Assistant State Attorney Natalie Savino will be prosecuting the case.


The State Attorney's Office announced at a press conference on Friday that Nicholas Stephen Canfield was indicted for the murder of a toddler.

State Attorney Amira Fox says Canfield was indicted for First Degree Murder, Sexual Battery of a Child Under the age of 12, and three counts of Aggravated Child Abuse.

The State Attorney's Office says the first three charges are for one victim.

Two additional counts of Aggravated Child Abuse are for two additional victims.

In April, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about an unresponsive two-year-old.

It was determined that the child suffered recent sexual abuse as well as fresh bruises, swelling, and other forms of physical trauma.

The child later died.

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