Man who allegedly admitted to using leaf blower on infant indicted on murder charge

OCALA, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) — A Florida man accused of using a leaf blower on an infant and bouncing the child to death has been indicted for murder.

James Westervelt, 38, was indicted on a first-degree murder charge two years after the death of a 6-month-old infant, according to Marion County court records filed by prosecutors on July 30.

Westervelt allegedly told investigators he used a leaf blower on the baby when the child was 2 months old because he thought it was funny, before the child’s August 2024 death.

Doctors attributed the death to blunt head trauma caused by bouncing the child.

Westervelt is in custody in Marion County and due back in court in September.