Sheriff: Illegal Immigrant Charged With ‘Horrendous’ Manslaughter Of 3-Year-Old In Cantonment
March 6, 2026
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons has announced the arrest of a 28-year-old Cantonment man following the death of his 3-year-old nephew, describing the case as “horrendous and despicable”.
The suspect, Samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo, is currently charged with negligent manslaughter, though Simmons indicated that more severe charges are being considered as the investigation continues The sheriff said Maldonado Erazo is in the country illegally.
The case began on Wednesday night, March 4 when deputies responded to a report of a 3-year-old in cardiac arrest in the 1900 block of Brentco Road. Despite the efforts of first responders, the child was pronounced dead.
The subsequent autopsy performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office revealed a harrowing pattern of physical trauma. Simmons reported that the child suffered from 17 separate strikes to the head, burn marks caused by a lighter being heated and pressed into the skin, multiple broken ribs, with one being completely detached from the backbone, a transected pancreas, which is a rare injury typically only seen in cases of extreme blunt-force trauma, and signs of possible sexual abuse and a broken collarbone.
“The injuries to the child are hard to talk about and even harder to imagine having to endure,” the sheriff said.
Investigators said the injuries were in various stages of healing, suggesting the child had been subjected to a cycle of violence over a significant period.
A Failure to Act
The Sheriff explained that the child ended up in the care of Maldonado Erazo after the boy’s mother and aunt were deported. Despite the child showing signs of “extreme distress” throughout the final day of his life, Maldonado Erazo allegedly failed to seek medical help, instead taking the boy to work with him until “the child declined to a state of cardiac arrest”.
Seeking Maximum Accountability
While the current charge is negligent manslaughter, Sheriff Simmons made it clear that the Sheriff’s Office is collaborating closely with the State Attorney’s Office to upgrade the charges.
“As I speak here today, that 3-year-old boy’s body lies at the county morgue,” Simmons said. “But he’s not there. He is pain-free in the arms of our Lord, and his killer, Samuel Antonio Maldonado Erazo…will answer for these crimes in this life and beyond.
County Commission Affirms Administrator’s Decision To Hire Christal Bell-Rivera As Library Director
March 6, 2026
Thursday night, the Escambia County Commission affirmed the county administrator’s decision to hire Christal Bell-Rivera as the next library services director, rejecting recommendations from the West Florida Library Board of Governance (BOG) that ranked two other candidates higher.
The BOG recommended Bradley Vinson, current coordinator of media services for the Escambia County School District, as its top choice to run the library system. The BOG’s second choice was Chris Hare, current division manager for WFPL.
According to the county, the administrator has the sole decision on employe hires, with the board only voting to approve or disapprove. The commission only appoints the county administrator and county attorney.
Administrator Wes Moreno’s decision came under fire because Bell-Rivera did not meet minimum qualifications without a master’s degree in library science, which opponents argued would cause the county to not receive state grants. She is currently a candidate to receive the degree this year.
Assistant County Administrator Debbie Bowers, who attended the commission meeting for an absent Moreno, said that while the position was advertised with certain educational requirements, it also included “an equivalent experience” provision. She said Bell-Rivera had proven herself as an assistant and interim director at the helm of a library system with a $12 million budget and 111 employees.
“Christal has equivalent experience,” Bowers said. “I think that she has done a great job.”
Bowers said BOG and public concerns are moot regarding the library system potentially losing state funding after receiving assurances from the state library system. “We were assured that we could be eligible for the funding,” Bowers added.
“Sometimes you have to hire somebody for the heart that they have for the community, for the job that they are doing, and sometimes that’s not exactly what’s on the job description,” District 4 Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger said. “Sometimes the heart that somebody has, and the passion they have for the job that they do, along with other relevant experience, combines and makes them the perfect fit for the job.”
“Doing the job is more than meeting a minimum requirement, if you’ve actually been doing the job successfully,” District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry said. “By accounts from administration, she has been.”
“It’s our administrator’s decision to hire who he thinks is best qualified,” District 1 Commissioner Steve Stroberger said. “I’m sure he took everything into account, and I trust his decision.”
A motion by Barry and seconded by Stroberger to affirm Moreno’s decision to hire Bell-Rivera passed 4-1 with District 2 Commissioner Mike Kohler voting against.
Kohler said he found out on Thursday that Bell-Rivera did not meet the qualifications for the position, and said the commission does not listen enough to its citizen advisory boards.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey Announces Escambia Judge Appointment
March 6, 2026
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced a judicial appointment in Escambia County, Alabama.
Ivey appointed Wade Leon Hartley of Brewton to serve as circuit judge in the 21st Judicial Circuit covering Escambia County. Hartley was notified of his official appointment earlier this week and was sworn in on Wednesday, prior to the formal announcement by the governor’s office on Thursday.
A graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and The University of Alabama School of Law, Judge Hartley succeeds Circuit Judge Jeffrey Alan White who retired from the bench on February 16, 2026, after serving nearly 12 years on the Escambia County District and Circuit Court.
“Wade Hartley brings to the bench almost 32 years of varied legal experience including service as Tribal Prosecutor, Special Municipal Judge, Indigent Defense Counsel in the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Court, and Public Defender in the 21st Judicial Circuit,” said Ivey. “His broad knowledge of the law will serve the Court and the people of Escambia County well.”
“I am both humbled and honored at receiving Governor Ivey’s appointment,” said Hartley. “I am extremely appreciative of the trust that she has placed in me, and I intend to serve the people of Escambia County with integrity, diligence, fairness, and a deep respect for the rule of law.”
Mayor Enthusiastic About Century’s Future After Regional Economic Forum
March 6, 2026
Century Mayor Ben Boutwell left Miramar Beach Thursday afternoon encouraged and enthusiastic about future opportunities for Century.
Boutwell, Town Administrator Dave Murzin, and Town Council President Dynette Lewis attended the two-day 2026 FPL Northwest Florida Economic Summit with business, civic, and community leaders from across the Panhandle. It’s known as the premier forum for bringing leaders together to collaborate, share ideas, and look forward at the economic future of Northwest Florida.
“It was a very good event for Century to attend,” Boutwell said. “As I was talking to people, I was really pushing economic development for Century.”
A big focus of his conversations was an industrial park with ready-to-build lots with infrastructure already in place. “The industrial park could be vital for us; it’s a blank canvas,” Boutwell said.
District 5 Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member and chairman Kevin Stephens said that he, Boutwell, and Rep. Michelle Salzman spent a lot of time talking about Century. He said they talked about infrastructure needs, including wastewater treatment plant upgrades, even suggesting ECUA could assist the town.
“As you know,” Stephens said, “ECUA has a lot of experience building a new sewer treatment plant and we would be a great resource for collaboration.”
Pictured top: District 5 Emerald Coast Utilities Authority board member and chairman Kevin Stephens, Rep. Michelle Salzman, Century Mayor Ben Boutwell, and Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons at the 2026 FPL Northwest Florida Economic Summit in Miramar Beach. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Portwood Homers Twice, Reid Once; Bridge Throws No-Hitter As Northview Beats PCA
March 6, 2026
Northview 11, Pensacola Christian 0
With two home runs from Jase Portwood, a Sam Reid homer, and a no-hitter from Jackson Bridges, the Northview Chiefs shut out Pensacola Christian 11-0 on Thursday in Pensacola.
Portwood hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth to left field before hitting another two-run homer in the seventh inning. Reid’s two-run home run to left field also came in the seventh.
Jackson Bridges threw a no-hitter, striking out two and walking two in seven innings.
Up next, the Chiefs will host the Jay Royals on Friday.
NAS Pensacola Implements To Visitor Access Rules, Including Background Checks
March 6, 2026
As the war continues in the Middle East, Naval Air Station Pensacola has implemented new visitor access rules, including a background check.
Public visitation to NAS Pensacola’s areas of public interest – including the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Lighthouse – remains open from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.
Until further notice, all visitors over the age of 18 must be vetted through the NAS Pensacola Visitor Control Center (VCC) at the south end of Navy Boulevard before being granted access to the installation. Screened individuals must then use the installation’s West Gate at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.
The NAS Pensacola access control center will open for public visitors at 8 a.m.
All individuals who do not hold a Department of War Identification Card who are 18 years of age and older planning to visit areas of public interest such as the National Naval Aviation Museum or the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum will need to follow these steps:
- Visitor Control Center: Before accessing the installation, all visitors must first go to the Visitor Control Center located at the main front gate at the south end of Navy Boulevard. Use the left lane when approaching the installation. All visitors 18 and older must present a valid government-issued ID, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a U.S. passport.
- Background Check and Pass: At the Visitor Control Center, individuals will undergo a routine background check and be issued a visitor pass.
- Proceed to the West Gate: Once a visitor pass is granted, individuals will then proceed to the West Gate entrance, located at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway, to access areas of public interest onboard the air station.
- Anticipate longer than normal wait times: Visitors are encouraged to plan and allow extra time to transit through the security process. Although visitation is encouraged, installation operations take precedence.
- Security Searches and Forbidden Items: All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches. Weapons, backpacks, coolers, and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
McLellan Throws Shutout As Tate Beats Southwest Christian
March 6, 2026
Tate 3 Southwest Christian School 0
Bryton McLellan threw a complete game shutout as the Tate Aggies shut out the Southwest Christian School Eagles 3-0 on Thursday.
Bryton McLellan pitched seven innings, allowing just one hit, no runs, walking one and striking out four.
Kaden Posta, Evan Taylor, and Brody White had one hit each for the Aggies.
Tate will take on George County on Friday.
FDOT Officially Announces Highway 97 Resurfacing Project To Begin
March 6, 2026
The Florida Department of Transportation on Thursday officially announced a $14 million project to resurface Highway 97 from Highway 29 in Molino to the Alabama state line at Atmore.
As we previously reported, the project will begin this month, but FDOT’s Thursday update did not provide an exact start date.
The 22-mile project will include milling and resurfacing the roadway, updated signs and pavement markings, and drainage improvements. Many of the stormwater drainage improvements will be made at the Highway 29 intersection to alleviate historic flooding by installing an additional box culvert across the southern leg of the intersection and two additional cross drains on the northern leg of the intersection.
Drivers may experience intermittent lane closures and restrictions between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. This project is scheduled for completion in Spring 2027; the contractor has 567 days plus any weather delays for completion once work begins.
Highway 97 was last resurfaced in 2009-2010 at a cost of $5 million.
NorthEscambia.com graphics.
Tate Boys Tennis Beats Pace
March 6, 2026
The Tate High School boys tennis team earned another win Thursday, defeating Pace 5-2. The Aggies, now 7-1 overall, will host Escambia at home on Tuesday, March 10.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click any image to enlarge.
Firefighters Extinguish Grass Fire At FPL Solar Farm In Molino
March 5, 2026
Firefighters battled a brush and grass fire midday Thursday at the Florida Power & Light Sparkleberry Solar Energy Center on Pilgrim Trail in Molino.
According to Joe Zwierzchowski from the Florida Forest Service, the fire was in 4-5 inch grass around rows of solar panels. Forestry allowed the fire to burn towards a road and used a “small amount” of water to extinguish it.
Multiple units of Escambia County Fire Rescue also responded.
There was no damage to any equipment, and the solar center continued to function normally, Sarah Gatewood, an FPL spokesperson, said. The cause of the fire fire remains under investigation.
Pictured: Solar panels at the FPL First City Solar Energy Center in McDavid, similar to those at Sparkleberry in Molino. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.