CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – An Orange Park man is facing a first-degree felony charge after a child in his care died following what investigators say was abusive head trauma.
Anthony Thompson, 23, of Orange Park, was charged Oct. 3 with aggravated manslaughter of a child, a first-degree felony, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Clay County Circuit Court.
911 call leads to investigation
On July 15, 2026, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Communications Unit received a 911 call at approximately 10 a.m. reporting a child who was choking.
When deputies arrived, Thompson — identified as the sole adult caregiver at the time — escorted them to the unresponsive child. Clay County Fire Rescue transported the child to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, where the child was then airlifted to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville.
At the time of admission, hospital staff initially believed the incident may have been related to a heart condition, though no conclusive testing had been completed at that point, according to the affidavit.
Investigation points to abusive head trauma
As the investigation progressed, medical findings shifted the direction of the case.
According to the affidavit, the child’s fatal injury was determined to be abusive head trauma, likely caused by severe acceleration/deceleration — commonly referred to as shaking. Investigators said the severity of the injury demonstrated “a grossly careless disregard for the safety” of the child.
Thompson also provided a written statement to investigators on July 15, the same day as the incident, according to the affidavit.
Thompson was booked into the Clay County jail without bond.
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