Florida Father, Kevin Dorgan Charged with Child's Death After Leaving Infant To Die While He Watched YouTube

 

In a heartbreaking incident in Florida, a 44-year-old father expressed deep regret, saying "I messed up," after his 3-month-old daughter tragically rolled off a mattress and lost her life in early September. He had left her alone while watching YouTube videos in the living room, according to local law enforcement.

Kevin Dorgan was at his Cocoa Village Courtyard Villas apartment on September 5, along with his 3-month-old daughter, KD, and 2-year-old daughter, FD. He openly admitted to placing the younger child on a mattress on the floor, even though he acknowledged that it was an unsafe decision. 

He should have placed the infant in the nearby pack-and-play, as asserted by the Cocoa Police Department.

Dorgan was the one who dialed 911, informing them that he and his children had recently returned home from Arby's after dropping their mother off at work. He reported that his youngest child was unresponsive and lying face-down at home.

Authorities promptly responded to the scene, and Dorgan informed them that he was watching YouTube videos as he typically did, with the infant on the bed. He claimed that he found the baby face-down on the floor, wedged between a mattress and a concrete wall, about 15 minutes after checking on her. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he immediately called 911.

According to Dorgan's timeline, he had placed the baby on the mattress around 6 p.m. on September 5. However, the 911 call was not made until 8 p.m. that evening.

Dorgan allowed investigators to examine his browser history, which revealed multiple browser searches between 5:57 p.m. and 7:56 p.m., just five minutes before the 911 call.

He admitted to typically leaving the baby on the bed while he watched YouTube videos at his desk in the living room. He acknowledged that he couldn't see the children from the living room and only checked on them when they became fussy.

Both the victim's mother and Dorgan were interviewed by the police on October 7. The mother believed the baby's death was an accident.

According to the police, Dorgan stated that he wasn't paying attention and rarely checked on the children unless they were fussing. 

He placed a vulnerable child, incapable of self-protection, on a bed, leaving her unattended for about 15 minutes, while he watched YouTube videos. Despite knowing that there were multiple crib/pack and plays available in the residence, including one next to the bed, he chose not to use them, the affidavit stated.

Dorgan was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and appeared in court, where he was held at the Brevard County Jail on a $75,000 bond. 

He was also ordered not to contact his immediate family members.

[SOURCE]