Kissimmee Man Charged with Murder in Death of 2-Year-Old Son
KISSIMMEE – A Kissimmee man has been formally charged with murder in connection to the death of his 2-year-old son, according to Kissimmee police. Derrick Emery, 30, was charged on December 20 after a months-long investigation into the boy’s death, which occurred on August 22 at the Vivo Living Apartments.
Police responded to a call made by Emery, who reported his son had sustained injuries. Upon arriving at the apartment, officers found the child with a severe head injury. He was transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children but was pronounced dead the following day.
An autopsy, released on December 9, revealed the child died from blunt force trauma. The medical examiner’s report also noted that the boy had multiple bruises, including three to four distinct marks that appeared to be consistent with being struck by a fist. The death was officially ruled a homicide.
Emery initially provided conflicting statements about how the incident occurred. He told police he had been playing a game with his son called the “shaker game,” inspired by Walt Disney World’s Tower of Terror ride, during which he threw the child into the air and accidentally dropped him.
However, further investigation revealed disturbing details about Emery’s behavior. Court documents indicated that the child’s mother informed police that Emery had been becoming increasingly frustrated and angry due to being confined to the apartment while on house arrest. Emery had a prior arrest history, including an attempted homicide charge related to a stabbing incident during a birthday party in Polk County.
During the investigation, police interviewed Emery’s sister, who reported that he had called her after the incident. She advised him to call 911, but records show Emery initially refused to do so.
Emery is now facing charges of murder while engaged in aggravated child abuse and is being held without bond. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have yet to comment on whether additional charges will be brought.
