A Brevard County father arrested after his 9-month-old daughter was found dead in his hot pickup truck has now been charged with third-degree murder.
The State Attorney's Office brought the official charges against Steven Lillie on Thursday. The 31-year-old father has been charged with three counts:
- Third-degree felony murder
- Manslaughter
- Leaving a child unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle
Lillie, 31, was arrested in Rockledge in June on aggravated manslaughter charges after police said the baby was found dead in his hot pickup truck June 16. Investigators said the infant girl was left alone in the vehicle for at least four hours.
After the State Attorney's Office of Florida's 18th Judicial Circuit, which covers Brevard and Seminole counties, reviewed the case, prosecutors determined the third-degree murder charge better fit the situation, noting Lillie left the infant unattended in the car for more than 15 minutes.
According to police, Lillie said he went to work and forgot to drop off his daughter with a caregiver. Lillie said he did not realize he had left the baby in the car until it was too late.
Prosecutors said while Lillie may not have intentionally caused his daughter's death, he is still responsible for the child's death.