PINE HILLS, Fla. — The father of 3-year-old Xavier Mokarzel-Satchel, who died at Pine Hills apartment Friday, said it had been years since he had seen his son—and that he’s angry he’ll never see him again.
"The child is completely sweet not a single angry bone in his body,” said Jaquan Satchel.
The boy’s mother, Brandi Mokarzel, and two of her friends are charged in connection with the boy’s death Friday.
Satchel, who lives in Washington state, said he found out about his son’s death on social media.
He said he didn’t know that Mokarzel, his ex, had moved to Florida with their son.
Two of the three women charged in connection with the boy’s death appeared before a judge Saturday.
Watch: 2 Pine Hills women face first-degree murder charges in connection with 3-year-old's death
Lakesha Chantell Lewis, 28, and Mokarzel faced a judge at a first appearance hearing. Callene Marcia Barton, 58, did not see a judge.
Lewis, charged with first-degree murder, was ordered held without bail. Mokarzel, charged with neglect of a child with great bodily harm, was granted $2,500 bail.
Barton is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with a witness.
The child was transported to the hospital from the Eagle Landing Apartments on Dardanelle and Silver Star roads at about 12:10 p.m. Friday.
He was suffering from blunt force trauma, investigators said.
The toddler was "clinging to life" after being injured by adults, deputies said when they first responded to the incident.
He died at about 5:30 p.m., the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
Pine Hills resident Eli Duncan was shocked by the toddler's death and the possibility that it could be a homicide.
"I'm, honestly, disgusted by the whole thing," he said. "I may have seen them on the bus or something. Doesn't matter. It's a 3-year-old. A 3-year-old."
Lewis' 4-year-old daughter, who was also living in the apartment, was taken into custody by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Cox Media Group
