Mother Arrested, Coombs Charged with Homicide in Citra Death of 3-Year-Old

MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes Detective Karla Santana-Palau arrested Jennifer Farrah Kendrick (DOB: 6/29/1999) for two counts of Felony Child Neglect. Jeroen Jarrel Coombs (DOB: 09/27/1993), who was previously arrested for Aggravated Child Abuse, has now been additionally charged with Homicide after he struck 3-year-old victim Paisley Brown multiple times, resulting in her death. 

On Feb. 19, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., MCSO deputies responded to a residence in the 16500 block of NE 44th Avenue after receiving a report that Paisley was unresponsive. She was transported by medics to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Deputies were told upon arrival that Coombs had harmed Paisley and was attempting to leave the scene. He was detained while Major Crimes detectives began a homicide investigation. Detectives learned that Coombs had been home alone with the children that morning and notified the victim’s mother, Kendrick, at approximately 10:58 a.m. that Paisley was unresponsive but did not call 911 until approximately 40 minutes later. Detectives Santana-Palau and Paxton interviewed Coombs, who admitted to causing the injuries that led to Paisley’s death and was ultimately arrested.

During an interview conducted on March 4, 2026, Kendrick spoke with Detective Santana-Palau. Although she initially denied knowing about the abuse, she was confronted with evidence obtained during the investigation and admitted she was aware that Coombs had previously bound and abused Paisley. Kendrick acknowledged that she failed to protect Paisley and that her lack of intervention, despite knowing what Coombs was doing, allowed the abuse to continue and contributed to the death of 3-year-old Paisley Brown.

Kendrick was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail. Kendrick was also on felony probation, which was violated. Coombs, who is already being held at the Marion County Jail, has been additionally charged with Homicide. Kendrick and Coombs are being held without bond.