MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – An Ocala couple is behind bars, accused in the death of their 15-month-old baby.
On Wednesday, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48-year-old Daniel Miller and 37-year-old Kelli Starling and charged them with homicide.
Deputies say they failed to keep drugs away from their toddler, Daltin Lee Miller, causing his death.
What happened
On March 1, 2024, deputies found Daltin unresponsive following a 9-1-1 call to a home at 1412 NE 28th Lane in Ocala.
Deputies say Miller and Starling told them Daltin had been sick, congested, and having difficulty sleeping. According to the sheriff’s office, they stated they were sleeping and, just prior to calling 911, noticed that Daltin was not breathing.
Marion County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene shortly after and pronounced Daltin dead at the scene.
Cause of death
At a news conference on Thursday, the sheriff’s office revealed that Daltin died from an overdose of fentanyl, meth, and xylazine which is a tranquilizer used by veterinarians for large livestock and commonly added to fentanyl to enhance its effects.
The sheriff’s office says Daltin was initially removed from his parents at birth because they tested positive for illegal drugs in their systems. He was placed in the care of his aunt and uncle.
The sheriff’s office says Miller was granted custody of Daltin, but Starling was required to leave the residence due to her use of drugs. The Florida Department of Children and Families returned Daltin to Miller on February 9, 2024. Through the course of the investigation, deputies say they determined Starling returned to the home on February 27, 2024.
MCSO says on the day of Daltin’s death, crime scene investigators found a black pouch containing drug paraphernalia and a powdery substance that tested positive for fentanyl.
Detectives said the bag was easily accessible and in the same room where they found Daltin.
The sheriff’s office says Starling and Miller both denied recent drug use but refused to provide a urine sample for drug screening.
An autopsy revealed a significant amount of drugs in Daltin’s blood and liver, which the sheriff’s office says indicates drugs were directly ingested.
“We’re always glad when we see justice catch up to criminals, but it doesn’t lessen the pain for the families and the loved ones of the victims,” Lt. Paul Bloom, MCSO Public Information Officer told reporters at the news conference. “It’s a tragedy. But at the end of the day, it’s an avoidable tragedy.”
A review of the Marion County jail log shows Miller has been booked into the jail at least two dozen times for a variety of charges ranging from drug possession to theft and fraudulent credit card use.
Starling has also been in and out of the jail at least six other times dating back to 2008. Her charges ranged from the sale of drugs to a hit and run accident
Justice for Daltin
A GoFundMe page was established in March for Daltin’s aunt and uncle to cover funeral costs and legal assistance. To date, it has raised just over $2,000.
The organizer of the fundraiser is listed as Justice for Daltin and the site says, “It is our hope that we work as a community to celebrate the life of sweet Daltin, support those closest to him and in time, save future children and families from the same tragic loss.”
