Darius Stephone Nichols, a 20-year-old Florida father, has been arrested and charged after being accused of fatally abusing his 3-month-old daughter, Nova.
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More Details On Darius Stephone Nichols’ Alleged Actions Of Fatally Abusing His 3-Month-Old Daughter Nova
According to Fox 35 Orlando, on April 30, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on reports of “an unresponsive 3-month-old baby.” Once deputies arrived, they reportedly attempted to perform CPR on the baby. However, she was transported to the hospital and pronounced deceased “a few hours later.”
Per the outlet, Nichols reportedly told deputies that Nova had “fallen from the sofa and become unresponsive.” Per the father, the “only injuries his daughter would have had on her body would have been from falling off the couch.”
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More Details On The Arrest & Charges Against The Florida Father
However, an autopsy report showed that Nova had “multiple acute skull fractures. Additionally, Nova was reported to have “bilateral retinal hemorrhages,” and her “rib cage had multiple healing rib fractures.” Furthermore, upon a search of Nichols’ residence, they reportedly found tablets, suspected to be fentanyl, and marijuana.
Per the outlet, Nichols was subsequently arrested and charged with “first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse.” He has reportedly denied abusing the infant. However, he is currently being held with no bond at the Orange County Jail.
“In her short life, baby Nova suffered horrific abuse and trauma,” officers reportedly stated, per Fox 35 Orlando. “She is resting peacefully now, and our detectives will get justice for baby Nova.”
According to WESH, Nichols is expected to appear for his next court hearing on May 13.
ARRESTED: Darius Stephone Nichols, 20, for First Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Abuse in the death of his 3-month-old daughter, Nova. Nichols told investigators that the baby fell from the sofa and became unresponsive on April 30. An autopsy showed baby Nova‘s skull was… pic.twitter.com/PRC1o6MGWp
— Orange County Sheriff’s Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) May 6, 2025
In Addition To Darius Stephone Nichols, Another Florida Father Made Headlines For Alleged Actions Involving His Infant
The arrest of Darius Stephone Nichols arrives months after another Florida father made headlines for his alleged actions involving his infant daughter. As The Shade Room previously reported, in February, Joshua Ruiz-Martinez was placed behind bars on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child. At the time, it was reportedly discovered that Ruiz-Martinez placed his daughter in a full bathtub before allegedly leaving her alone for at least 10 minutes.
When he returned, the infant was “submerged beneath the water.”
