A tragic incident in Osceola County, Florida, has brought attention to child safety and the responsibilities of caregivers. A 5-year-old boy drowned in a drainage ditch near his home under disturbing circumstances.
His stepmother, Cheyenne Star Fite, now faces legal action for alleged neglect and mistreatment. This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder of the critical need to protect children from harm.
What Happened?
On October 11, 2024, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office received an emergency call about a drowning incident. The little boy was found in a drainage ditch, unclothed and covered in mud, and was rushed to HCA Florida Osceola East Emergency. Unfortunately, he could not be saved.
When authorities arrived, they noted a foul odor resembling feces and urine near the ditch. A green boogie board floated in the water where the boy had drowned. The investigation revealed troubling details about the circumstances leading to his death.
The Role of the Stepmother
Cheyenne Star Fite, 25, was responsible for watching the children that day. She claimed that three children, including the 5-year-old victim and a 3-year-old, were playing outside while she folded laundry. However, her story had inconsistencies.
Fite admitted she initially ignored a sibling’s cries of “My brother is underwater!” She later found the child submerged in muddy water contaminated with pigpen runoff. Fite also acknowledged the boy didn’t know how to swim.
Investigation Findings
Authorities discovered that the drainage ditch where the child drowned was man-made. It measured about 15 by 10 feet and was nearly 7 feet deep.
The ditch had been created earlier that day by a family friend to drain rainwater from Hurricane Helene. It was located dangerously close to a pigpen.
One of the siblings alleged that Fite had been asleep at the time of the incident. Police also learned that the boy had been forced to play outside naked as punishment for injuring a chicken earlier in the day.
Legal Action Against Fite
Fite was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter by child abuse. She remains in the Osceola County Jail without bond. The investigation found her actions negligent, with her claims about supervising the children being proven false.
How to Report Child Abuse
Child safety is everyone’s responsibility. If you suspect neglect, abuse, or harm, report it immediately. The Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline operates 24/7 at 1-800-962-2873. If there’s immediate danger, call 911.
FAQs
1. What caused the boy’s death?
The official cause of death was drowning. His lungs were found to contain mud from the contaminated water.
2. Where was the boy’s father?
The father was at work during the incident and was unaware of the large hole dug on the property.
3. Why was the boy unclothed?
The stepmother reportedly punished the child by forcing him to play outside naked after he injured a chicken.
4. How deep was the drainage ditch?
The ditch was approximately 7 feet deep and located near a pigpen.
5. How can I report child abuse?
Call the Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873, or contact local authorities.
