September 4, 2025

Jacksonville Father Pleads Guilty to Child’s Aggravated Manslaughter

News Summary

In a tragic incident in Jacksonville, 20-year-old Justin Golden pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of his 8-month-old son, Pablo Kye Golden. The plea was made in Duval County court after details emerged about a chaotic confrontation that led to the child being run over by Golden’s vehicle. Authorities were alerted by a witness, and Golden faces up to 30 years in prison as sentencing approaches, leaving the community in shock over the heartbreaking loss.

Jacksonville Father Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter Following Tragic Death of 8-Month-Old Son

Jacksonville, FL – Justin Golden, a 20-year-old father, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter of a child in a Duval County court related to the tragic death of his 8-month-old son, Pablo Kye Golden. The plea was entered on November 13, following a chaotic incident that occurred on January 25 of this year.

Initially, Golden had pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide on February 18. However, through a negotiated plea agreement with state prosecutors, the vehicular homicide charge was dropped. Judge London Kite accepted Golden’s plea and set sentencing for later this year.

As part of his plea, Golden faces a maximum prison sentence of 30 years. Details surrounding the incident reveal a sequence of unfortunate events that led to the child’s death. On the day in question, Golden had an argument with a woman, identified as Pablo’s mother, while driving near the intersection of McDuff and Lenox avenues. During the heated discussion, Golden stopped the vehicle, opened the door, and placed Pablo on the ground before driving away, leading to the car running over the infant.

First responders arrived at the scene and rushed Pablo to Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A witness, who was driving directly behind Golden, followed him while calling 911, which resulted in the police being alerted about the situation. Authorities managed to conduct a traffic stop on Golden’s vehicle shortly after the incident near Stockton Street.

During police questioning, Golden expressed a concerning sentiment, stating that he did not want to be responsible for the child. Meanwhile, Pablo’s mother reported a dispute with Golden over baby wipes and money, asserting that she had not moved Pablo from his car seat. She recounted how, after hearing a scream and turning around, she saw her child lying in the road after Golden had left the scene.

This heartbreaking incident has deeply affected the Jacksonville community. Local barbershop owner Markin Barnes described the day as devastating, underlining the importance of community awareness and support during such tragic times. He acknowledged the double tragedy of the incident, reflecting on the loss not only suffered by the child but also by the father, whose actions led to this irreversible consequence.

The incident has sparked discussions on parental responsibility and community vigilance, as residents remember the life of Pablo Kye Golden and the profound impact of his untimely death. The approaching sentencing date for Justin Golden continues to be a point of concern and reflection for local families and the broader community.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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