Investigators say a 3-year-old girl died after being repeatedly beaten at a Marion County home.
MARION COUNTY, FL — A Florida mother has been arrested in connection with the death of her 3-year-old daughter, while her boyfriend faces a murder charge after authorities say the child was repeatedly beaten while in his care at a rural Marion County home.
Authorities said the toddler, identified as Paisley Brown, died after suffering severe injuries during an incident last month at a residence near Citra. Investigators allege the child’s mother failed to protect her daughter from abuse and neglected to intervene despite signs of serious harm. The case has drawn widespread attention across central Florida as detectives and prosecutors piece together what led to the girl’s death.
Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were called to the property on the 16500 block of Northeast 44th Avenue around noon in late February after reports that a child had been seriously injured. When first responders arrived, they found the toddler suffering from critical injuries. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors later pronounced her dead.
Investigators said the girl had been in the care of the mother’s boyfriend, 32-year-old Jeroen Jarrel Coombs, at the time she was hurt. Detectives said Coombs admitted during questioning that he struck the child multiple times while watching her and several other children inside the home. Authorities initially arrested him on an aggravated child abuse charge.
Following additional investigation and medical findings, prosecutors upgraded the charge to homicide. Officials said evidence gathered by detectives indicated the injuries were consistent with repeated blunt force trauma. The medical examiner determined the child’s death resulted from severe physical abuse, leading investigators to pursue the more serious charge.
Deputies said the child’s mother, Jennifer Kendrick, was arrested weeks later after investigators concluded she had failed to protect her daughter and allowed the conditions that led to the fatal abuse. She faces multiple counts of child neglect, according to jail records. Authorities said the charges stem from evidence that the child had been living in an environment where she was at risk of harm.
Sheriff’s officials said several other children were present at the home when the alleged abuse occurred. Detectives interviewed those children and other potential witnesses as part of the investigation. Officials have not released further details about what the children may have seen or heard, citing the ongoing criminal case.
According to investigators, Coombs was arrested Feb. 20 after deputies responded to the home and discovered the injured child. He remained in custody as the investigation continued and prosecutors reviewed medical findings and witness statements. The decision to elevate the charge to murder came after detectives presented new evidence to the State Attorney’s Office.
Neighbors in the rural community described shock and disbelief after learning about the toddler’s death. Some residents said they had occasionally seen children playing at the property but were unaware of any signs of abuse. One neighbor said the news of the child’s death left the area shaken.
Authorities said the investigation involved detectives, forensic specialists and child protection officials working to reconstruct the timeline of events leading up to the girl’s death. Court records and witness statements are expected to play a key role as prosecutors move forward with the case.
Coombs is being held in the Marion County Jail and now faces a murder charge in connection with the child’s death. Kendrick was also booked into jail following her arrest on neglect charges tied to the investigation. Officials said both cases will proceed through the Marion County court system in the coming weeks.
Investigators said additional hearings and court appearances are expected as prosecutors prepare their case. Authorities have not indicated whether further charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
For now, officials say the focus remains on pursuing justice for the toddler whose death has left a community searching for answers.
Authorities said the next major step in the case will be upcoming court proceedings, where prosecutors are expected to outline the evidence gathered in the investigation and formally present the charges against the defendants.
Author note: Last updated March 6, 2026.