Nalani Adalee Allen
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CANDID ID: FL_24_2368
AGE
Infant
STATE
Florida
DATE OF DEATH
5/12/2024
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
SUMMARY OF DEATH
On May 12, 2024, six-month-old Nalani Adalee Allen was brought to Baptist Health Homestead Hospital in cardiac arrest by her parents, Nathan Allen and Arnelle Floyd, both 24, and was pronounced dead. The father reported that he had fed the infant that morning and found her lethargic approximately an hour later. X-rays revealed multiple rib fractures in different stages of healing and multiple bruises throughout her torso. An autopsy found numerous fresh contusions, internal bleeding, large lacerations to internal organs, and blunt force injuries throughout the torso, and the manner of death was classified as a homicide. Both parents denied any falls, injuries, or domestic violence, but a search of their home revealed fist-sized holes in walls and dents in the refrigerator, and neighbors corroborated numerous reports of domestic violence. The infant had been seen by a pediatrician just two days prior with no visible signs of bruising or broken bones but was noted to be underweight. Both parents were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse and were held without bond.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

Multiple documents describe inflicted injuries. The fatality report states "multiple rib fractures in different stages of healing, and fresh bruises on her arm and torso." The NBC Miami article describes autopsy findings of "numerous fresh contusions, internal bleeding, large lacerations to internal organs and blunt force injuries throughout the torso." The WSVN article states "medical staff reported the infant had several fractured ribs and multiple bruises consistent with child abuse." The manner of death was ruled a homicide based on blunt force injuries.

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

The NBC Miami article states that at the infant's last pediatrician visit on May 10, "while the infant was underweight there were no signs of bruising or broken bones." Being underweight at 6 months suggests possible malnutrition or failure to thrive, though no formal diagnosis of malnutrition is explicitly stated.

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

The NBC Miami article states that the mother "placed the infant on the bed where she co-sleeps with the infant and Allen." Co-sleeping on an adult bed with both parents is generally considered an unsafe sleeping arrangement for an infant per safe sleep guidelines. However, this sleeping practice was not identified as a contributing factor in the infant's death, which was classified as a homicide from blunt force injuries.

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

The fatality report lists Nathan Allen, age 24, as the father and identifies both parents as "alleged perpetrators." The WSVN article states "Nathan Allen and Arnelle Floyd, both 24, were arrested on Wednesday" and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. The NBC Miami article confirms Nathan Richard Allen was arrested on charges of "first-degree murder/aggravated child abuse."

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

The fatality report lists Amelle Floyd, age 24, as the mother and identifies both parents as "alleged perpetrators." The WSVN article states that both Nathan Allen and Arnelle Floyd were charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse. The NBC Miami article confirms Arnelle Arnelia Floyd was arrested on the same charges.

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

The WSVN article states: "Nathan Allen and Arnelle Floyd, both 24, were arrested on Wednesday" and "charged and transported to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center." The NBC Miami article confirms: "Arnelle Arnelia Floyd and Nathan Richard Allen, both 24, were arrested Wednesday on charges of first-degree murder/aggravated child abuse" and adds that "a judge ordered they both be held without bond."

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

While the fatality report states "Both parents denied any mental health or substance abuse issues as well as any domestic violence in their relationship," the WSVN article reports that "a search of their residence revealed a disarrayed home with fist-sized holes in the walls and dents in the refrigerator" and that "Neighbors reportedly corroborated reports of domestic violence at the residence." The NBC Miami article provides additional detail: "There had been numerous reports of domestic violence at the home that were corroborated by neighbors, who said they were violent and involved items or people being thrown into walls."

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

Several notable details emerge from cross-referencing the sources. First, there is a significant contradiction between the DCF investigation's collateral contacts and the law enforcement findings: the fatality report states that "Collateral contacts expressed no concerns for the infant in the care of the parents. They never saw any indication of abuse," while the news articles report that neighbors corroborated "numerous reports of domestic violence at the home" involving "items or people being thrown into walls." Second, the search warrant revealed physical evidence of violence in the home (fist-sized holes in walls, dents in the refrigerator) despite both parents denying any domestic violence. Third, the infant was seen by a pediatrician just two days before death on May 10 with no visible signs of bruising or broken bones, yet died with extensive injuries including fractures in different stages of healing, suggesting the most severe injuries were inflicted in the final days. Additionally, the father told investigators the infant "would often cry for long periods of time," which may suggest a motive related to frustration. Both parents were held without bond.

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