Mother, Jennifer Kendrick, opened a GoFundMe account after her partner, Jeroen Jarrel Coombs unalived her daughter

CITRA, Fla. — A 32-year-old Marion County man has been arrested after authorities say he bound his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter and fatally beat her inside a Citra home.

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Thursday around noon to a residence in the 16500 block of NE 44th Avenue after receiving a report that 3-year-old Paisley Brown was unresponsive.

When deputies arrived, a witness told them the child had allegedly been harmed by 32-year-old Jeroen Jarrel Coombs. Authorities say Coombs was detained as he attempted to leave the scene and was later questioned by detectives.

Investigators learned Coombs had been home alone with several children that morning. At approximately 10:58 a.m., he allegedly contacted the child’s mother, Jennifer Kendrick, telling her Paisley was unresponsive. A 911 call was placed about 40 minutes later.

A juvenile witness reportedly told deputies he heard Coombs strike Paisley and disclosed prior instances of alleged physical abuse.

Paisley was transported to a local hospital around noon, where she later died from her injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

During questioning, Coombs initially told detectives the child appeared lethargic when she woke up. However, investigators said his account changed after they confronted him with evidence of ligature marks and bruising. Authorities say Coombs then admitted to restraining the toddler the night before using a robe tie to bind her hands and painter’s tape to secure her legs, claiming he did so to prevent her from reaching into her diaper while sleeping.

Detectives allege Coombs confessed to picking up the still-restrained child and dropping her onto the floor, causing her to struggle to breathe. He also admitted to repeatedly striking the toddler, later telling investigators he realized he had “took it too far.”

After she went unresponsive, he waited 40 minutes to call 911. When asked why he did not immediately call for help, Coombs reportedly said he was afraid.

Coombs was arrested on a charge of aggravated child abuse and booked into the Marion County Jail shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday. He is being held without bond.

Major Crimes detectives are continuing to work with the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office as additional charges are expected pending further investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing.