JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Murder charges were dropped Thursday against a teenager charged with killing a 3-year-old toddler when he was just 14.
Johnathan Godwin was released from custody after being held since August 2019, when the 3-year-old girl he was babysitting was found beaten to death.
As part of a plea deal reached with prosecutors, Godwin pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated child neglect and was sentenced as a youthful offender.
He must serve six years of probation with a number of special conditions. Among them, he must complete high school or obtain a GED, stay employed or in school, participate in mentoring programs and job training, and live with a parent until he is 18.
He can also have no contact with minors and may not babysit.
Godwin is currently 17 years old.
