Court records and official announcements from the Fort Lauderdale judicial system

Five Arrested in Christmas Day Death of 7-Year-Old Boy Weighing 7 Pounds

Sep 11, 2024, 03:09 PM

Five people, including family members and home health care providers, have been arrested in connection with the death of a 7-year-old boy in Fort Lauderdale last December. Authorities say the boy, Deonte Atwell, was found weighing just seven pounds on Christmas Day 2023. The death is part of a suspected Medicaid fraud scheme involving his family and home health care providers. The mother, along with two relatives and two health care professionals responsible for the child’s care, have been indicted and charged with murder. Deonte Atwell died weighing 7 pounds.