Dad charged with manslaughter for daughter's death; was also on probation for aggravated battery against police officer (St. Augustine, Florida)

Dad OMAR DONTE LONG was already in trouble because of manslaughter and neglect charges in the death of his 18-month-old daughter (he left her locked in his truck--this is in June in Florida--with the motor still running, while Daddy took a nap on the couch. Of course, Mom was at work while Daddy was supposed to be babysitting.) Now, it turns out that Dad was on probation during this time for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and reckless driving.

http://www.staugustine.com/stories/071409/news_1741467.shtml

Hearing set for child death suspect
By PETER GUINTA
Posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 ; Updated: 12:23 AM on Tuesday, July 14, 2009

A violation of probation hearing for Omar Donte Long will be addressed in September, Circuit Court Judge Wendy W. Berger said Monday.

Long, 30, said through his attorney, Jill S. Barger, that he denied breaking the restrictions of his probation on charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer and reckless driving, both felonies.

He remains in jail on $500,000 bond for a June 14 incident that brought him new charges, manslaughter and neglect of a child causing great bodily harm, in the death of his 18-month-old daughter, Arianna.

According to Sheriff's Office reports, Long had driven the little girl home that morning after dropping off her mother to work at Flagler Hospital about 6 a.m. When he arrived at his house, he went inside and fell asleep on the couch, the reports said.

About noon, his sister-in-law Seritia Montgomery woke up and went looking for the baby.

She found Arianna's body on the center console of Long's locked 2006 Dodge Charger. The car's motor was still running.

Long, accompanied by Barger, surrendered to St. Johns County Sheriff's Office deputies on June 26.

On Monday, former St. Johns County Circuit Judge Robert Mathis, now supervisor of the state attorney's Homicide Unit, said, "A filing (on the manslaughter and child neglect charges) has not been made."

Long, shackled and wearing blue jail clothes, stood and answered Berger's questions politely, only once glancing at a dozen of his family members who had crowded into the courtroom to show support.

After his appearance before the judge, some family members in the hall outside held T-shirts embossed with a photograph of Long holding Arianna in his arms with words underneath that said, "He is a loving father."