Topline: A July 911 call reporting a choking child led to an investigation that ended with a manslaughter charge against the child’s sole adult caregiver.
Published: October 8, 2026 7:04 am ET
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Anthony Thompson (via Clay County Sheriff's Office)
ORANGE PARK, FL — A 23-year-old Orange Park man has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child after a child in his care suffered a fatal head injury allegedly caused by shaking.
Anthony Thompson was charged Oct. 3 with the first-degree felony, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Clay County Circuit Court and detailed by News4JAX. He was booked into the Clay County jail without bond.
The investigation began July 15, when the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Communications Unit received a 911 call at approximately 10 a.m. reporting that a child was choking. Deputies arrived and found Thompson, whom the affidavit identified as the only adult caring for the child at the time. He escorted them to the unresponsive child.
Clay County Fire Rescue took the child to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. The child was then airlifted to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville.
Hospital staff initially considered whether a heart condition might explain the emergency. According to the affidavit, no conclusive testing had been completed at that point.
Later medical findings pointed investigators toward abusive head trauma. The affidavit described the fatal injury as likely caused by severe acceleration and deceleration, commonly referred to as shaking. Investigators characterized the injury’s severity as evidence of a grossly careless disregard for the child’s safety.
Thompson gave investigators a written statement July 15, the same day deputies responded to the emergency. The News4JAX report did not describe what he wrote.
The report did not specify the child’s age, the date of death or Thompson’s relationship to the child beyond his role as caregiver. It also did not include a response from Thompson or his defense.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Orange Park Caregiver Charged With Manslaughter After Child’s Fatal Head Injury
A July 911 call reporting a choking child led to an investigation that ended with a manslaughter charge against the child’s sole adult caregiver.
By Silvia Torres
Published: October 8, 2026 7:04 am ET
Anthony Thompson (via Clay County Sheriff's Office)
ORANGE PARK, FL — A 23-year-old Orange Park man has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child after a child in his care suffered a fatal head injury allegedly caused by shaking.
Anthony Thompson was charged Oct. 3 with the first-degree felony, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Clay County Circuit Court and detailed by News4JAX. He was booked into the Clay County jail without bond.
The investigation began July 15, when the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Communications Unit received a 911 call at approximately 10 a.m. reporting that a child was choking. Deputies arrived and found Thompson, whom the affidavit identified as the only adult caring for the child at the time. He escorted them to the unresponsive child.
Clay County Fire Rescue took the child to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. The child was then airlifted to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville.
Hospital staff initially considered whether a heart condition might explain the emergency. According to the affidavit, no conclusive testing had been completed at that point.
Later medical findings pointed investigators toward abusive head trauma. The affidavit described the fatal injury as likely caused by severe acceleration and deceleration, commonly referred to as shaking. Investigators characterized the injury’s severity as evidence of a grossly careless disregard for the child’s safety.
Thompson gave investigators a written statement July 15, the same day deputies responded to the emergency. The News4JAX report did not describe what he wrote.
The report did not specify the child’s age, the date of death or Thompson’s relationship to the child beyond his role as caregiver. It also did not include a response from Thompson or his defense.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Orange Park Caregiver Charged With Manslaughter After Child’s Fatal Head Injury
A July 911 call reporting a choking child led to an investigation that ended with a manslaughter charge against the child’s sole adult caregiver.
By Silvia Torres
Published: October 8, 2026 7:04 am ET
Anthony Thompson (via Clay County Sheriff's Office)
ORANGE PARK, FL — A 23-year-old Orange Park man has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child after a child in his care suffered a fatal head injury allegedly caused by shaking.
Anthony Thompson was charged Oct. 3 with the first-degree felony, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Clay County Circuit Court and detailed by News4JAX. He was booked into the Clay County jail without bond.
The investigation began July 15, when the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Communications Unit received a 911 call at approximately 10 a.m. reporting that a child was choking. Deputies arrived and found Thompson, whom the affidavit identified as the only adult caring for the child at the time. He escorted them to the unresponsive child.
Clay County Fire Rescue took the child to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. The child was then airlifted to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville.
Hospital staff initially considered whether a heart condition might explain the emergency. According to the affidavit, no conclusive testing had been completed at that point.
Later medical findings pointed investigators toward abusive head trauma. The affidavit described the fatal injury as likely caused by severe acceleration and deceleration, commonly referred to as shaking. Investigators characterized the injury’s severity as evidence of a grossly careless disregard for the child’s safety.
Thompson gave investigators a written statement July 15, the same day deputies responded to the emergency. The News4JAX report did not describe what he wrote.
The report did not specify the child’s age, the date of death or Thompson’s relationship to the child beyond his role as caregiver. It also did not include a response from Thompson or his defense.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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