TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Testimony began Wednesday in the trial of Tony Balcom, who is accused of aggravated manslaughter in the death of three-year-old Enrique Evans.
Evans died in January 2023, and toxicology tests later showed he ingested a deadly dose of fentanyl.
“Enrique had major amounts of fentanyl in his system,” Assistant State Attorney Callaway Scott told the jury. “There was a child who was left unsupervised to the extent that he could get into drugs.”
Balcom was not the toddler’s father, but was his primary caregiver.
Tony Balcom’s mugshot.(WCTV)
Prosecutors contend he did not adequately supervise the little boy and left drugs readily accessible in baggies, boxes and bottles in his Roberts Avenue apartment.
Tallahassee Police Officer Michael McLeod was the first witness to take the stand Wednesday morning. He said when he arrived on scene, the child was unresponsive on the living room floor.
Prosecutors played McLeod’s body camera video for the jury.
Balcom’s friend and roommate, Johnnie Brown, was the second witness on the stand. He called 911 that morning to report that the child was not breathing.
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Brown was visibly upset and wiped his eyes with a tissue as he described what happened.
“Was Enrique ever responsive, or did he ever wake up?” Scott asked.
“No, ma’am,” Brown said.
He said Balcom was dealing drugs out of the apartment, and both he and Enrique’s mother, Cameren Evans,, bought drugs from him regularly. Brown testified that Enrique had free rein of the apartment and no set schedule.
“The baby was just there,” Brown said.
“Was he closely monitored at all?” Scott asked.
“No, ma’am,” he said.
Defense attorney Charles Lammers asked a series of questions suggesting Balcom was doing his best to provide for the child.
“Mr. Balcom, would he buy the diapers for Enrique?” Lammers asked.
“Yes,” Brown said.
“And the food?”
“Yes.”
“And would he, along with you, make sure he was fed?”
“Yes.”
“And Enrique was well cared for, wasn’t he?” Lammers asked on cross-examination.
“Yes,” Brown said.
Court papers say the child’s mother, Cameren Evans, stopped by to purchase drugs at Balcom’s apartment the night her son died, but did not stay there.
Evans has already been convicted of aggravated manslaughter in his death. She is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.
The state rested its case against Balcom on Wednesday afternoon.
Balcom told the judge he did not wish to testify in his own defense. It’s not clear if there will be any other defense witnesses called to the stand.
Attorneys are expected to give their closing arguments on Thursday, with jury deliberations to follow.
WCTV will keep you posted on a verdict.
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