{"id":160430,"date":"2026-02-18T22:38:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T22:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/160430\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T22:38:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T22:38:05","slug":"trial-begins-for-tallahassee-man-accused-in-fentanyl-death-of-3-year-old","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/160430\/","title":{"rendered":"Trial begins for Tallahassee man accused in fentanyl death of 3-year-old"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Testimony began Wednesday in the trial of Tony Balcom<\/a>, who is accused of aggravated manslaughter in the death of three-year-old Enrique Evans. <\/a><\/p>\n

Evans died in January 2023, and toxicology tests later showed he ingested a deadly dose of fentanyl.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnrique had major amounts of fentanyl in his system,\u201d Assistant State Attorney Callaway Scott told the jury. \u201cThere was a child who was left unsupervised to the extent that he could get into drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Balcom was not the toddler\u2019s father, but was his primary caregiver.<\/p>\n

\"TonyTony Balcom’s mugshot.(WCTV)<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Prosecutors played McLeod\u2019s body camera video for the jury.<\/p>\n

Balcom\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

More on crime in our area:<\/p>\n

Brown was visibly upset and wiped his eyes with a tissue as he described what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas Enrique ever responsive, or did he ever wake up?\u201d Scott asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n

He said Balcom was dealing drugs out of the apartment, and both he and Enrique\u2019s mother, Cameren Evans<\/a>,, bought drugs from him regularly. Brown testified that Enrique had free rein of the apartment and no set schedule.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe baby was just there,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWas he closely monitored at all?\u201d Scott asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Defense attorney Charles Lammers asked a series of questions suggesting Balcom was doing his best to provide for the child.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Balcom, would he buy the diapers for Enrique?\u201d Lammers asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the food?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd would he, along with you, make sure he was fed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Enrique was well cared for, wasn\u2019t he?\u201d Lammers asked on cross-examination.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Brown said. <\/p>\n

Court papers say the child\u2019s mother, Cameren Evans, stopped by to purchase drugs at Balcom\u2019s apartment the night her son died, but did not stay there.<\/p>\n

Evans has already been convicted of aggravated manslaughter <\/a>in his death. She is scheduled to be sentenced later this month. <\/p>\n

The state rested its case against Balcom on Wednesday afternoon. <\/p>\n

Balcom told the judge he did not wish to testify in his own defense. It\u2019s not clear if there will be any other defense witnesses called to the stand. <\/p>\n

Attorneys are expected to give their closing arguments on Thursday, with jury deliberations to follow. <\/p>\n

WCTV will keep you posted on a verdict.<\/p>\n

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Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n