NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. - Lee County Sheriff's Deputies have made an arrest in a child abuse case from June.
Deputies say On Monday, June 19, 2017, they responded to a call in the 2500 block of Zoysia Lane in North Fort Myers. When they arrived, they found a 2-year-old boy in medical distress.
The boy was taken to Golisano Children's Hospital where it was determined that he had extensive bleeding and significant brain swelling. He was then airlifted to Miami Children's Hospital. Doctors discovered that, in addition to the critical head trauma, the child had suffered injuries and bruises to other areas of his body, none of which were consistent with common childhood injuries.
Unfortunately, the injuries inflicted on the 2-year-old were more than he could withstand and, on June 29th, just ten days after being injured, he succumbed to his injuries.
During the Lee County Sheriff's Office investigation, it was determined that the child's mother regularly left her son in the care of her live in boyfriend, Damien Palmer. An extensive investigation revealed Palmer was responsible for the injuries to the boy.
A warrant was issued for Palmer's arrest on the charges of Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Abuse.
On Thursday, July 27, 2017, Damien Palmer surrendered himself to the Lee County Sheriff's Office
"As a law enforcement agency, we're charged with responding to and investigating many distressing and disconcerting incidents that occur within our jurisdiction," stated Undersheriff Carmine Marceno. In this instance, the Sheriff, our Major Crimes Unit and I all struggled with the merciless homicide of an innocent 2-year-old boy. The Lee County Sheriff's Office will continue to work with the Office of the State Attorney to ensure that Mr. Palmer is never afforded the opportunity to injure another child."
Right now, the boy's mother is not facing any charges
