Judge orders no bond for man accused of killing 3-year-old in Citra

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB) — A 32-year-old man is being held without bond as his case moves toward trial in connection with the death of a 3-year-old girl found dead in Citra last week.

Jeroen Coombs, 32, is charged with aggravated child abuse in connection with the death of Paisley Brown, 3. Marion County Sheriff’s investigators said Coombs is Paisley’s mother’s boyfriend.

RELATED: ‘Citra house of horror’: 3-year-old dies from child abuse; Marion County deputies arrest suspect

During Wednesday’s hearing, the defense asked the judge to set a reasonable bond. The state argued Coombs should be held without bond, citing two prior domestic battery cases — one from 2019 and one from 2020.

Judge Peter Brigham denied the request, citing Coombs’ failure to appear for a hearing in a 2019 case as one of the reasons for ruling in favor of the state.

“The defendant is a danger, a danger to anyone around him, a danger to any domestic situation. So, no matter where he were to live, and a danger to any child he may be around,” Brigham said.

Investigators said Coombs confessed to binding and caging Paisley before punching her. Paisley was found dead in Citra on Thursday.

Judge Brigham addressed the case during the hearing. “I don’t know what is going on with the mom in this whole thing, but what I’ve heard so far is there is a little three-year-old girl, she’s bound, legs and hands, and essentially gets beat to death somehow,” Brigham said.

RELATED: Community demands justice after death of 3-year-old in Marion County

During his ruling, the judge said he believes the case has a strong chance of turning into a homicide prosecution. He also asked the state to further investigate Coombs’ background, noting Coombs is originally from New York.

Sheriff’s deputies continue to investigate the death and other abuse that allegedly occurred in the home. Investigators expect to file additional charges against Coombs.

They are also working to determine what Paisley’s mother knew about the abuse and find out why it took 40 minutes for 911 to be called after she learned the toddler was unresponsive.

RELATED: Deputies investigate death of young girl in Marion County, suspect in custody

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