At his first appearance Tuesday, 21-year-old Steven Dodson Jr. was denied bond on the murder charge of a 2-year-old boy, identified by family as A’mahri Robinson.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hours after the suspect in the death of a 2-year-old boy was captured in Jacksonville, the toddler’s family attended his first court appearance.
Devastated family members identified the victim as A’mahri Robinson, a happy boy who always had a smile on his face. Now, they’re planning his funeral.
21-year-old Steven Dodson Jr. faces five charges, including murder, attempted murder and child endangerment. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced his arrest early Tuesday morning, a day after he allegedly fled the scene of the shooting. Family members told First Coast News Dodson is the father of A’mahri’s sibling.
JSO said the 2-year-old’s death happened during a dispute between two adults at an apartment on Labelle Street. During the argument, detectives determined that Dodson pulled the trigger. A’mahri was shot in the head and later died at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. A witness on the scene told police they saw Dodson run out of the back door of the apartment after the gun went off.
Although Dodson did not appear in person in court Tuesday, the judge set the bond on four of his five charges, totaling more than $1 million. On the murder charge, he was denied bond altogether and ordered to not contact any minors or witnesses.
Court records show Dodson is a convicted felon, having only been released from state prison four months prior to A’mahri’s death.
His aunt, Rayniah, said A’mahri’s mother is struggling to process what she witnessed that night.
“She held her baby full with blood. Y’all don’t know what she went through.”
Another aunt, Virginia Dunbar, said she wants Dodson to face the most severe punishment possible.
“He doesn’t need to be living at all,” Dunbar said. “He took our life away from us. We all, we are family and we are hurting because that baby didn’t deserve none of that.”
Dodson’s next court date is scheduled for April 15.
The family has created a GoFundMe to support A’mahri’s funeral and memorial expenses.
“He leaves one older sister and brother who adores him as well as his mother and father who are struggling to cope with this heartbreaking reality. We appreciate your love, prayers, and support during this difficult time,” the GoFundMe reads.
