Florida Man Charged with Murder After Allegedly Leaving Toddler with Girlfriend’s Body for Days

A Florida man has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend after allegedly leaving her body in their home for several days while her young child remained alone with the corpse.

According to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, 24-year-old Markise L. Outing was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter after he brought his girlfriend’s unresponsive 6-year-old daughter to a fire station in Bradenton, Florida, on May 20, 2024. The child was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Investigators allege that Outing left the child in a hot car for several hours, leading to her death. He reportedly attempted to cover up the incident by claiming the child had been asleep.

Further investigation revealed that Outing’s girlfriend had been deceased in their home for several days prior to the incident. Authorities believe that Outing left the child alone in the home with her mother’s body during that time. The exact cause of the girlfriend’s death has not been disclosed, but Outing is facing additional charges related to her death.

Outing is currently being held in the Manatee County Jail without bond. The case has drawn national attention due to the disturbing nature of the allegations and the tragic loss of life involved.

This incident underscores the importance of community vigilance and the need for support systems to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly children, from harm.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, resources are available to help. In the United States, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233 or at thehotline.org.