Shahzad Nazir Sayed, 28, of Punta Gorda, was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 13 years in prison, followed by 5 years of probation, for one count of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child. The first two years of probation will be community control.
Sayed pled open to the court, giving up his right to a jury trial. This is not a plea agreement.
On October 3, 2020, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a 19-month-old child who was unresponsive after falling into a pool. The child was unable to be revived and later died. The defendant was supposed to be watching the children, while their mother was at work. There was also another toddler at home.
After the children’s mother left for work, the defendant went to bed and left the children unattended. Evidence in the case showed the defendant had stayed up late playing video games and smoking marijuana.
Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Garczewski, Charlotte County Felony Chief, and Assistant State Attorney Jill Kuykendall prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office
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