Fort Myers toddler death suspect gets no bond

FORT MYERS, Fla. A 38-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of a 13-month-old girl received no bond Wednesday morning.

Dustin Todd is facing a second-degree murder charge, which he received no bond for. He is also facing charge of cruelty to a child, and bond was set at $100,000.

Thirteen-month-old Mackenzie Fewox was in Dodd’s care on Jan. 29 in a house on the 500 block of Southeast Ninth Avenue in Cape Coral, the Cape Coral Police Department said.

Cape Coral police responded around 7:32 p.m. on Jan. 29 to the house when Todd told the responding officers he went to check on Mackenzie, who was sleeping in her room, and he found her limp and not breathing, according to the incident report.

Blood was found on Mackenzie’s mattress, crib sheets and pillows, according to an arrest warrant. It was also revealed Mackenzie died from asphyxiation.

Two other children were in the home at the time of the death, police said. He is prohibited from making contact with the child witnesses.

Todd and his wife were Mackenzie’s familial foster parents, police said. The Todds were in the process of adopting Fewox. Todd’s wife, who was Mackenzie’s aunt, will not face charges.

Captain Tony Sizemore said any death involving a child is tragic, but investigators were hardened as they delved deeper into findings.

“However, as our investigation began to uncover that this was a murder by someone who was supposed to protect her, it became especially gut-wrenching, even for the seasoned detectives of our Major Crimes Unit,” Sizemore said.

Todd is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 5.

The case highlights an ongoing issue in Southwest Florida where there is a critical need for more foster homes to take children who come into care, said Nadereh Salim, Children’s Network of Southwest Florida Chief Executive Officer.

A large number of children ages 0-5 need foster homes, Salim said. There is also a need for foster homes that can care for sibling groups and older teens.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent, adopting or becoming a mentor can call 1-855-933-KIDS or click here.

WINK News reporter Morgan Frances explained what it takes to become a foster parent: