He's charged with the murder of a 6-month-old baby, including blowing a leaf blower on him.

A 38-year-old man from Ocala, Florida, has been formally charged with murder after allegedly suffocating a six-month-old infant using a leaf blower. The incident occurred two days after the child was taken to the hospital, where he was found unresponsive. According to court documents, the man, identified as James Westervelt, initially faced charges of abuse before police discovered a video showing him directing the leaf blower toward the baby’s face. The footage, which was obtained by the mother of the victim, revealed that Westervelt had repeatedly blown air into the infant’s face despite the child’s distress. The case took a dramatic turn when investigators reviewed the video. Police noted that the leaf blower was intentionally aimed at the baby’s face, causing the child to struggle to breathe. Despite the obvious danger, Westervelt continued the act, even while the infant was in close proximity. In his statement to authorities, he claimed the action was meant to be humorous, though he admitted to being aware of the potential harm. The mother of the child confronted him directly, leading to further questioning and formal charges of murder. Westervelt's initial denial of paternity played a key role in the unfolding investigation. DNA analysis later confirmed that the child was not his biological son. According to court records, the man had long been the primary caregiver for the child, taking on responsibilities typically associated with a parent, including managing household duties and caring for other children. However, he had recently become suspicious of the child’s parentage, which reportedly fueled his anger and frustration. The tragic incident unfolded on August 12th of last year, when the child’s mother brought him to the hospital after finding him unresponsive at home. Two days later, the child died from head trauma. An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was due to a blow to the head. During subsequent interrogations, Westervelt described witnessing another child, his two-year-old son, hitting the infant on the head. He claimed he intervened, attempting to calm the situation by holding the baby in his arms. In addition to the murder charge, Westervelt has been accused of abusing his wife through alleged infidelity. Court documents indicate that he mentioned his dissatisfaction with his wife’s behavior, suggesting that her actions had led to his emotional turmoil. He also stated that his use of methamphetamine around the time of the incident could have contributed to his aggressive behavior. Multiple times during interviews, he reiterated that the child had cried loudly, which he did not find particularly amusing. Prosecutors argue that Westervelt’s actions were motivated by both personal resentment and a desire for revenge against his wife. They claim that his treatment of the child was markedly different from how he interacted with his other children. In a phone call from prison, he reportedly expressed regret over the incident, stating that it would not have happened if his wife had not deceived him. The case continues as legal proceedings unfold, with the possibility of further charges pending.