A Florida nurse, Jessica Vlasac, 42, has been arrested and charged with felony aggravated child abuse resulting in the death of her three-month-old son, August Lionel. Police allege that Vlasac punched the infant with enough force to crush his skull with her diamond ring.
Vlasac called 911 on September 6, reporting that her infant son was unresponsive at their Lakeland home. Paramedics transported the baby to Orlando Health Medical hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Initially, Vlasac told deputies she had accidentally fallen asleep with the baby in her bed and discovered him face down and cold upon waking.
However, investigators found an abrasion and bruising on the infant's head. The baby's father told detectives that Vlasac 'becomes violent' when she drinks and alleged she had purchased alcohol earlier that day. He provided investigators with text messages he claims Vlasac sent that night, stating she had killed the infant.
An autopsy report revealed that August Lionel suffered subdural hemorrhaging around his skull and had three separate head injuries. The coroner noted one injury appeared consistent with a small, square-like object. The autopsy report stated there was no evidence that co-sleeping contributed to the death.
During interviews, detectives observed a large, diamond-like stone on Vlasac's ring finger, which they noted was consistent with the injury described in the autopsy. Investigators executed a search warrant and seized her ring and electronic devices. While the search was underway, Vlasac reportedly asked officers if the ring was what killed her son.
Investigators also found that Vlasac had deleted messages from her phone and had urged the infant's father not to show detectives their communications. Witnesses in the home reported that Vlasac was caring for the baby alone in her room and they were unaware of any suspicious activity until they heard her screaming.
Vlasac was taken into custody and booked into the Polk County Jail. She is currently not eligible for bond and is scheduled for a pre-trial detention hearing on Thursday, with her arraignment set for October 13. The Polk County Sheriff's Office investigation is ongoing. Vlasac has not yet entered a plea.