Executive Summary
- Marion County residents gathered to demand further arrests in the death of 3-year-old Paisley Brown.
- Jeroen Coombs, the boyfriend of the victim’s mother, has been arrested in connection with the homicide.
- Community members expressed concern regarding the lack of charges against the child’s mother.
- Law enforcement officials have not yet released the specific cause of death.
CITRA, Fla. — Residents of Marion County gathered on Sunday to demand expanded justice in the homicide case of 3-year-old Paisley Brown, who was found deceased on February 19 in Citra. While investigators have arrested Jeroen Coombs, the boyfriend of the child’s mother, community members are urging authorities to scrutinize the involvement of other adults present at the time of the incident.
According to local law enforcement officials, the investigation into Brown’s death is currently classified as an active homicide inquiry. Jeroen Coombs has been taken into custody in connection with the case. However, during the Sunday gathering, demonstrators raised specific questions regarding the potential culpability of the child’s mother. Authorities have not yet released a specific cause of death, citing the ongoing nature of the forensic examination.
Carley Santana, a community member who participated in the demonstration, expressed frustration with the pace of the judicial process. Santana told reporters that while she respects the procedural requirements of law enforcement, she believes further legal action is necessary beyond the initial arrest. "They need to step up their game," Santana stated. "I know it takes time and I respect the law enforcement."
Despite the community’s calls for additional charges, investigators have not announced any further arrests at this time. Officials have not publicly commented on whether the child’s mother is a person of interest, maintaining strict confidentiality as evidence is processed.
Investigative Outlook
The pressure from the Citra community highlights the complex nature of multi-party homicide investigations involving minors. In cases where multiple adults had access to a victim, prosecutors often delay additional charges until forensic pathology reports and digital evidence can definitively establish culpability or negligence for each individual. The absence of immediate additional arrests suggests that the State Attorney’s Office is likely prioritizing the construction of a legally airtight case over speed, ensuring that any future charges can withstand the burden of proof in court.
It is important to note that all individuals, including Jeroen Coombs, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
