Boy, 15, charged in 21-month-old sister’s death

COCOA, Fla. (AP) – Brevard County authorities say a teenage boy has been charged in connection with his toddler sister’s death.

Local media outlets report that the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrested the 15-year-old Wednesday. The boy faces a second-degree murder charge in the death of the 21-month-old girl. He isn’t being identified because he is a minor.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Maj. Tod Goodyear says deputies received a 911 call Sunday saying the toddler was unresponsive at a home near Cocoa.

Goodyear says the child was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Goodyear says the Brevard County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide by blunt force trauma.

Goodyear says the teen is accused of hitting the toddler. He’s being held without bond at a juvenile detention center.