FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Five people, including family members and home health care providers, were arrested on Tuesday in connection with the death of a 7-year-old boy in Fort Lauderdale, who died of severe malnutrition on Christmas Day 2023, according to authorities.
The child, Deonte Atwell, was found weighing just seven pounds when he was pronounced dead at Broward Health Medical Center on Dec. 25, 2023.
Atwell’s mother, Michelle Doe, 37; his brother, Tyreck Irvin, 21; and his grandfather, James Graham, 70, face multiple charges including first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter, and child neglect.
On Thursday, Doe appeared in bond court.
Two healthcare workers, Mirlande Moltimer Ameda, 47, the owner of Samaritin Home Care Provider, and nurse Cassandre Lassegue, 33, also face felony murder and Medicaid fraud charges.
Officials said the state of Florida was paying the health care company owned by Moltimer for round-the-clock care of Atwell.
But, in court, prosecutors said Moltimer was billing for services that were never provided.
“Had the child received those services, he would not be dead or weighing seven pounds at the time of his death,” said prosecutors.
Graham appeared in court on Wednesday, where a judge gave him a $22,000 bond and must be fitted with an ankle monitor.
Police said Graham knew about the trouble Atwell was in and refused to say anything about it.
Irvin also appeared in court on Wednesday.
“The defendant has admitted that he was the one changing the victim’s diaper in the days and weeks leading up to his death,” said prosecutors. “While this victim was enduring this prolonged starvation and severe medical neglect, the victim’s 9-year-old and 16-year-old brothers were in the home and sharing a bed and bedroom with the victim in the days and weeks leading up to his death.”
As for Lassegue, Fort Lauderdale officials said she did nothing for the boy.
“You’re a medical provider. You’re supposed to be caring for these children and that’s what you get paid for,” said Fort Lauderdale Police Det. Jacqueline Sanchez.
Fort Lauderdale Police and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to a 911 call from the home near the 1700 block of Southwest 11th Street, where Atwell had reportedly stopped breathing.
“It’s very disturbing. I can tell you, I lost sleep more than once,” said Sanchez.
The 911 call, released on Wednesday, shows a frantic uncle calling for help.
“My nephew is on a breathalyzer and he’s not responding too well right now, he’s not responding too well right now, he’s like weak. We need an ambulance, ma’am,” said the uncle to a 911 operator.
Police said the child was let down by those closest to him and those entrusted with his care.
Authorities said that autopsy results revealed that Atwell, who was born with thoracic spina bifida and hydrocephalus, had gaping wounds from bed sores with bones protruding through his skin.
Investigators discovered 264 unopened bottles of Atwell’s feeding formula in the home, according to the Broward State Attorney’s Office.
The medical examiner said Atwell was starved to death over several months.
Authorities said that it was determined that the boy’s caregivers had failed to provide necessary medical services, resulting in his death.
Prosecutors allege the death occurred amid a scheme to defraud Medicaid, valued between $10,000 and $50,000.
A month after Atwell’s death, his mother used a photo of him, taken before weighing seven pounds, to create a GoFundMe account where she asked for money
Doe and Irvin are also charged with neglecting two other children, ages 9 and 16, living in the home.
Both Doe and Irvin are being held on no bond.
As of Thursday, Graham still remains in jail after posting bond.
In addition to the charges related to the child’s care, the two health care workers are also facing fraud charges.
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