This afternoon, Nicholas Steven Canfield, was sentenced to life in prison, after being convicted of First-Degree Murder, Sexual Battery Upon a Child Less Than 12 Years of Age, and three counts of Aggravated Child Abuse.
A Lee County Jury returned the decision of life, following the two-day penalty phase of the trial. The defendant was found guilty Friday, by the same jury, following a ten-day trial for the criminal phase.
Special Victims Unit Chief Francine Donnorummo and Hendry/Glades Circuit Court Chief Natalie Savino prosecuted the case.
“The evil acts of the defendant against a child, who could not protect themselves, a child who was relying on him to keep them safe, are unfathomable. The defendant will now spend the rest of his life in prison because he preyed upon the most vulnerable, a mere 2-year-old child, and he does not deserve to walk among us,” said State Attorney Amira Fox.
The 2-year-old victim was taken to a hospital on April 29, 2020, unconscious, after being attacked by the defendant at her home. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and immediately began an investigation.
The defendant regularly babysat the victim and her two young siblings, also victims. The surviving children gave statements to law enforcement, that they were regularly threatened and forced to “hold up the wall” as a form of malicious punishment, which required them to stand with their hands up against a wall for extended periods of time. The children stated that they would be further punished if they did not “hold up the wall” correctly or cried.
On the day the youngest victim was rushed to the hospital, the severe child abuse started at the hands of the defendant, at the beginning of the day, as soon as the children’s mother left for work.
Multiple injuries were seen on the 2-year-old when she was brought to the hospital. All of the doctors who saw the child, suspected child abuse. She was put on life support and died three days later.
The investigation into her death revealed the child had suffered multiple blunt hits to her head and had been raped. The Medical Examiner ruled the victim died from abusive head trauma.
The State Attorney’s Office was seeking the death penalty in this case.
“I want to thank the jury for their hard work and attention in listening to the graphic and unsettling details of this case. This was a long trial, and we respect their decision and appreciate their service,” said State Attorney Fox.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office