State to seek death penalty against man accused in North Fort Myers child’s death

The State Attorney’s Office on Monday said it intends to seek the death penalty against a man accused of abusing and killing a North Fort Myers toddler.

Nicholas Stephen Canfield, 25, has been jailed in Lee County since April on charges of first-degree murder, sexual battery on a child less than 12 years of age, and three counts of aggravated child abuse.

According to the original report, a toddler was taken to the hospital with severe injuries after deputies found the child unresponsive at a home on W. Mariana Avenue at 1:43 p.m. on April 29.

Deputies say they met with the child’s caregiver, identified as Canfield, who was attempting lifesaving measures on the child. The 2-year-old later died at the hospital.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said three children were living in the home and another child was also found to have been abused by Canfield.

State Attorney Amira Fox said in addition to the child who died, Canfield’s two counts of aggravated child abuse are for two other victims.