“Florida Woman Charged with Murder of 17-Month-Old Jermiyah Puskac”

In a tragic turn of events, a Florida woman has been charged with the second-degree murder of her 17-month-old son. Tracie Renee Puskac, 37, was taken into custody at her home in Summerfield after detectives with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office discovered evidence linking her to the toddler’s death.

The incident occurred on April 27, when authorities responded to a residence where they found the unresponsive infant, later identified as Jermiyah Puskac. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Jermiyah succumbed to his injuries two days later.

During the investigation, Puskac provided conflicting accounts of how the toddler sustained his fatal head injury. She claimed that Jermiyah had banged his head on the floor the previous night, prompting her to move him to a safe spot. However, further questioning by detectives revealed inconsistencies in her statements.

One particularly troubling aspect of the case is Puskac’s admission that she did not immediately call 911 when her child became “stiff as a board.” She allegedly feared that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) would take her children away, as they had previously done. This revelation raises concerns about the welfare of the other children in her care.

An autopsy report released by the Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Jermiyah died as a result of a skull fracture, subdural hemorrhage, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injury due to abusive head and neck trauma. Based on these findings, the manner of death was determined to be a homicide.

Puskac is currently being held at the Marion County Jail without bond. The case serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of early intervention and protection for vulnerable children who may be at risk of abuse. It also highlights the need for continued vigilance by child welfare agencies to ensure the safety and well-being of children in our communities..