Press Release
The Office of the State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on January 7, 2020, Circuit Judge Ana Maria Garcia sentenced Michael Vonkee Carson to 105 years prison and designated him a Habitual Felony Offender. The Defendant was found guilty at trial on November 20, 2019 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.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Barbara Beasley and Assistant State Attorney Nichole Pieper.
For additional information, contact State Attorney Glenn Hess.