Daytona Man Charged with Aggravated Manslaughter in Son's Death

Daytona Beach resident Malcolm Nelson, 34, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of his son. Nelson was accused of abusing his three-month old son leading to his hospitalization and eventual passing. The alleged abuse took place in 2023. Noah Nelson was hospitalized at just three months old for traumatic injuries, with doctors determining he had been shaken and battered. He was placed on life support while the Volusia Sheriff's Office investigated the case. Malcolm Nelson was arrested on October 3, 2023 on one charge of aggravated child abuse. He was released two weeks later on $150,000 bond, and later pleaded no contest. Nelson was sentenced to 180 days in jail, two years of community control, and 13 years of probation. In the meantime, Noah remained hospitalized for three years. Tragically, he passed away in April 2026 at three and a half years old. The VSO says doctors never exhibited signs of improvement. An autopsy was conducted after Noah's passing, with the VSO already planning to pursue further charges if the results warranted it. The Medical Examiner's Office produced their findings, showing that Noah's death was consistent with a homicide. The cause of death was abusive head trauma. On June 23, Nelson was arrested on two new charges: aggravated manslaughter of a child and violation of probation. As of Monday he's still in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail without bond.