Florida Parents Charged After Texts Reveal Chilling Frustration Before Infant’s Death

SAVAGE ROYALT ENT
Aug 21
3 min read

Donovan and Belle Winter case, — Florida parents charged with first-degree murder in the tragic death of their 2-month-old son, following the discovery of incriminating text messages.

By Savage RoyalT | August 17, 2025 | SavageRoyalT.com

Two Florida parents are now facing first-degree felony murder charges in the 2021 death of their 2-month-old son after investigators uncovered disturbing text messages that revealed their frustrations with the baby’s crying, saying things like “Ugh this kid is killing me” and “I’m done with this … you already know what I’m going to do.” Donovan Winter, 26, and his wife, Belle Winter, 23, were formally charged with murder and aggravated child abuse after a lengthy investigation by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. Donovan was arrested on June 17, 2025, and Belle was extradited from Pennsylvania earlier this week after she relocated there following the baby’s death. Authorities said the delay in arrests stemmed from the complexity of gathering medical evidence, child protection team evaluations, autopsy results, and digital forensics from the couple’s phones.

Deputies were called to a Merritt Island home in June 2021, where they found the infant unresponsive, lying face down in a bassinet with a pacifier in his mouth. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be multiple blunt-force head injuries, ruling it a homicide. Donovan’s arrest affidavit detailed a disturbing history of the couple’s struggle with parenting and their apparent inability to cope with their child’s crying. Cellphone records showed messages where Donovan repeatedly expressed frustration, texting Belle: “I can’t do it with this kid,” “I’m tired, he’s screaming won’t shut up,” and “He will be sleeping 24/7 when you're at work.” In one particularly alarming exchange, Donovan admitted to “doing what I normally do” to make the baby stop crying, adding that it was “easy asf.” Investigators believe this referred to the rough handling of the infant.

The investigation also revealed that Donovan admitted to throwing the baby into the air but missing the catch, causing the infant to fall. He confessed that this incident happened approximately two weeks before the child was found dead. Initially, both Donovan and Belle denied knowing what happened, with Belle telling investigators she had taken a two-hour shower the night of her son’s death, only to discover his body stiff and purple when she emerged. Donovan later contradicted parts of her account, claiming she had slammed doors and left him alone to handle the fussy infant. He admitted he “may have been a little rough” with the child because he “didn’t know his strength.”

Neighbors and witnesses said the baby appeared healthy in the weeks leading up to his death. But autopsy findings painted a much darker picture, revealing blunt impact trauma consistent with abuse. The inconsistencies in the couple’s accounts, combined with the explicit text messages, became crucial evidence in securing charges. Belle continued to deny any physical abuse, though she admitted to ignoring her husband’s pleas for help on the night in question. Prosecutors say her lack of action, combined with Donovan’s admitted violence, makes both parents criminally liable.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the painstaking work required in building the case. “These cases sometimes take a long time,” said PIO Tod Goodyear. “When you’re dealing with a child abuse death, you’re having to coordinate with medical experts, forensic evidence, and multiple interviews.” Both parents are currently being held on murder and aggravated child abuse charges. Donovan remains in custody in Florida, while Belle was returned under extradition orders to face trial alongside him. Both await upcoming court dates that could determine whether they will face life sentences for the murder of their infant son.

This case highlights not only the tragic death of a child but also the documented frustrations of parents communicated through digital footprints that ultimately exposed their alleged abuse.