Couple accused of staging 3-week-old baby's death

Authorities say they intentionally suffocated the infant and then tried to cover it up

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:52pm

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An extreme close-up of a baby's pacifier against a stark black background, lit by a harsh camera flash, conveying the gritty, investigative nature of this disturbing crime.A shocking crime scene reveals the dark truth behind an infant's tragic death.Hollywood Today

A 21-year-old woman and 25-year-old man have been arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, child neglect, tampering with evidence, and providing false information to police after allegedly killing their 3-week-old son and then staging the scene to make it look like he died in his sleep.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of child abuse and neglect, as well as the lengths some parents will go to cover up their crimes. It raises concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable infants and the need for stronger protections and support systems for new families.

The details

According to the arrest affidavit, Crystal Garcia and Anfernee Watts provided multiple false statements to police about the circumstances surrounding their son's death on August 1, 2025. Authorities say Garcia intentionally restrained the infant by tightly wrapping him in a blanket, strapping him in a car seat, and securing a pacifier in his mouth. She then allegedly placed the car seat in a bathtub, closed the bathroom door, and played loud music to drown out the baby's cries, ultimately causing the child's suffocation. After realizing the baby was unresponsive, Garcia and Watts allegedly attempted to stage the scene and conceal evidence, including cleaning the home with bleach, discarding baby items, and giving false information to investigators.

  • On August 1, 2025, crews were called to the couple's home after Garcia initially said she found the boy unresponsive in his playpen.
  • In March 2026, the child's cause of death was ruled as suffocation.
  • On April 8, 2026, Garcia and Watts were arrested and charged with the crimes.

The players

Crystal Garcia

A 21-year-old woman who is accused of intentionally suffocating her 3-week-old son and then attempting to cover up the crime.

Anfernee Watts

A 25-year-old man who is accused of participating in the cover-up of his 3-week-old son's death and providing false information to police.

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What they’re saying

“In voice messages, Garcia allegedly said she "lied" and wanted to tell police she had smothered the baby.”

— Crystal Garcia

What’s next

Garcia and Watts are currently in the Broward County Jail awaiting trial on the charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child, child neglect with great bodily harm, tampering with physical evidence, failure to report death to a medical examiner, and knowingly providing false information to law enforcement during the investigation.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the critical need for better support systems and interventions to protect vulnerable infants from abuse and neglect, as well as the importance of thorough investigations to uncover the truth when suspicious child deaths occur.