MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – On the night of Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes Detective Karla Santana-Palau arrested 32-year-old Jeroen Jarrel Coombs (DOB: 09/27/1993) for Aggravated Child Abuse after he struck 3-year-old victim Paisley Brown multiple times, resulting in her death.

On Feb. 19, 2026, at around 12:00 p.m., MCSO deputies responded to a home in the 16500 block of NE 44th Avenue in reference to Paisley being unresponsive. She was transported by medics to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries. When deputies arrived on scene, they were told that Coombs was the one who harmed Paisley, and he was attempting to leave. Coombs was detained for questioning while Major Crimes detectives began their homicide investigation.

Through the investigation and interviews with witnesses, detectives learned that Coombs was home alone with the children yesterday morning. At approximately 10:58 a.m., he notified the victim’s mother that she was unresponsive, but he did not call 911. Finally, 40 minutes after learning that she was injured, the 911 call was made. A juvenile witness advised that he heard Coombs strike Paisley and disclosed prior physical abuse by Coombs.

During an interview with Detectives Santana-Palau and Paxton, Coombs initially claimed that Paisley was groggy when she woke up that morning. However, when he was confronted about the bruising and ligature marks on the victim, Coombs admitted to causing the injuries that led to her death. He advised that he had bound her hands with a robe tie and her legs with painter’s tape to prevent her from reaching into her diaper the night before. Coombs claimed that he picked Paisley up while she was still bound and dropped her on the floor, causing her to begin gasping for air. He then admitted to striking her multiple times before realizing he “took it too far.” When asked why he did not call 911, Coombs stated he was scared.

Coombs was placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he is held without bond. Major Crimes detectives are continuing to work with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office to bring additional charges pending the results of the Cause and Manner of Death report.