# Three arrested in baby's death in St. Lucie County
*Detalles del caso revelan negligencia extrema y condiciones insalubres en la vivienda donde vivía el niño fallecido.*

- Medio: Orlando Ledger News (https://orlandoledgernews.com)
- URL: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/tres-detenidos-por-muerte-de-bebe-en-st-lucie-county
- Sección: Justice
- Autor: Orlando Ledger News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-07-26T07:04:38.551Z
> Three people are jailed following the death of an infant in Florida due to extreme neglect and unsanitary living conditions.

## Las claves

- The arrest of Nicole Maxwell, Robert Maxwell, and Vikki Koon follows an investigation into a baby's death from dehydration in St. Lucie County.
- The incident occurred at a mobile home on Silverstream Circle near Fort Pierce with the child dying on August 20, 2025.
- Authorities are currently processing charges against the three arrested individuals to determine their legal responsibility for the minor's death.

A detailed investigation has revealed the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of a nearly three-month-old baby in St. Lucie County, Florida. Authorities confirmed that the child died due to severe dehydration and malnutrition. As a result of the forensic analysis and interviews conducted, three adults have been arrested: Nicole Maxwell (27 years old), the biological mother; Robert Maxwell (61 years old), his paternal grandfather; and Vikki Koon (38 years old), partner of the latter. The charges include aggravated homicide of a minor and aggravated child abuse.

### Unsanitary conditions in the home

According to the 37-page warrant affidavit, the baby lived in a mobile home located on Silverstream Circle, west of US Route 1 and north of Juanita Avenue. Investigators described the property as being in an "extreme environmental hazard state." The home had severe infestations of cockroaches, exposed electrical wires that posed risks of electrocution or fire, and windows covered with plywood instead of glass.

On August 20, 2025, the child's grandfather and his partner took him to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce. At that time, doctors observed that the baby's nails were almost black and his ribs were more prominent than his stomach, clear signs of advanced malnutrition. The doctor declared the child dead upon arrival.

### Documented negligence in messages

The evidence presented includes a series of Facebook messages and missed calls demonstrating lack of care before the death. Robert Maxwell sent a message on August 18 stating: "Hello, you need to come get this baby. He is sick." He also expressed frustration by writing in another message: "Only I have been taking care of this baby," suggesting that other responsible parties had not contributed.

Vikki Koon admitted during interviews that Nicole Maxwell never taught her how to properly care for the infant. Koon mistakenly believed that a newborn should eat only twice a day with approximately two ounces per feeding, ignoring the need for feeding every two or three hours. Additionally, investigators noted cognitive difficulties in Koon and an apparent lack of observable emotion during early conversations, as this newspaper reported in [Florida Father Indicted on Murder Charge After Infant's Death](/noticia/florida-father-indicted-on-murder-charge-after-infants-death).

### Testimonies and family context

Nicole Maxwell stated that she lived with her current boyfriend on Barcelona Avenue, Fort Pierce, who did not want the baby present because "he was not his son." She claimed to have handed the child over to Robert Maxwell for him to care for. During interviews, investigators noted that Nicole depersonalized her relationship with the deceased, repeatedly referring to him as "it" or "the baby," while using affectionate terms like "my babies" for her other children.

The biological father of the child lives in Virginia and does not provide financial assistance or care. The maternal grandmother had also lived there temporarily but returned to Virginia recently. Authorities continue processing charges against the three arrested individuals as they evaluate each one's legal responsibility for the minor's death.
---
Fuente original: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/tres-detenidos-por-muerte-de-bebe-en-st-lucie-county