CCSO: Orange Park man arrested for shaking baby to death

ORANGE PARK – A 23-year-old man was arrested on Friday, Oct. 2, after Clay County Sheriff’s Office detectives said he shook a baby to death.

Anthony Bryce Thompson, of Orange Park, was charged with aggravated negligent manslaughter of a child after Thompson called 9-1-1 on July 15 to say a child had choked and was unresponsive. Deputies and Fire Rescue attempted to revive the child. After being taken to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, then flown by helicopter to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, the child was pronounced dead.

According to the affidavit for an arrest report, Thompson was the sole caretaker of the child. Tests revealed the death wasn’t from natural causes. In fact, it was determined to be the result of abusive head trauma, likely caused by “severe acceleration and deceleration,” which CCSO said was from shaking the child.

Thompson’s next court appearance will be on Nov. 3. Until then, he will be held in the Clay County Jail without bond.

Three teens arrested following series of car break-ins

MIDDLEBURG – Three teen-aged men were arrested on Oct. 4 after the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said they were involved in a series of car break-ins in Green Cove Springs and Fleming Island.

Michael De’John Bowden, 18, of Middleburg, Blane Carliss Dube, 18, of Maxville, and Eian Alexander Libma Shorr, 18, of 

Middleburg, were charged with burglary after deputies were called to Paul Armstrong Park on County Road 220 about a suspicious vehicle. Bowden was sitting in the passenger seat, and he was questioned why he was in the park after closing hours.

While CCSO deputies were talking with Bowden, Shorr and Dube walked from the Madison Commons apartment complex. All three were detained and separated. Deputies later found likely stolen property on Shorr and Dube. They also found stolen items from other break-ins “in plain view” inside Dube’s car.

Bond for Shorr and Bowden was set at $25,003, while Dube’s bond was set at $30,003. All three are scheduled to return to court on Nov. 3.

 Caretaker charged with taking $85,300 from disabled man’s bank account

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – A caretaker was arrested and charged on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with taking $85,300 from a disabled man’s savings account. It was the first arrest by the newly created Guardianship Task Force created by the Clay County Sheriff’s and Clerk of Courts offices and supported by area law enforcement agencies.

Inez Laraine Sullivan, 70, of Green Cove Springs, was charged with exploitation of an elderly person for $50,000 or more after detectives with CCSO were alerted that the victim only had $7 left in his account. Their investigation revealed she made 10 wire transfers between July 24, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2020, from his account. CCSO also determined that Sullivan made large cash deposits into her account that coincided with the withdrawals.

According to court records, the man was adjudicated to be unable to independently manage his assets or affairs in 2019.

Sullivan’s bond was set at $75,003. Her next court appearance was scheduled for Oct. 27.