Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on November 20, 2019, a Bay County jury convicted Michael Vonkee Carson of three (3) counts of Aggravated Child Abuse and three (3) counts of Neglect of a Child Causing Great Bodily Harm or Permanent Disfigurement. In 2014, the Defendant burned a 5-year-old child with a lighter, beat her with a belt buckle, whipped her and burned her in scalding water over a period of time. The Defendant never sought any medical care for any of the child’s injuries. The child was rescued by Cynthia Brandt with Family First Network when she discovered the injuries on an unannounced home visit with the child’s aunt. Ms. Brandt immediately reported the abuse and injuries to law enforcement and the Child Abuse Hotline.
This case was investigated by Panama City Police Department with assistance from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. The Defendant has 13 prior felony convictions and is facing sentencing enhancement as a Habitual Felony Offender.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Barbara Beasley and Nichole Pieper. Sentencing is scheduled before Circuit Judge Ana Maria Garcia on January 7, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. The Defendant is facing a possible sentence of 30-60 years per count as to Counts 1, 2 and 3 and 15 to 30 years per count as to Counts 3, 4, and 5.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford.