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Paramedic, sister testify in death of 4-year-old Jacksonville girl

By Larry Spruill
By Larry Spruill
It’s been more than a year since 4-year-old Jada Norfleet died, and prosecutors say she was beaten to death for refusing to eat chicken nuggets.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Her stepmother Shavonn Norfleet had her day in court on Thursday, the day after her father John Norfleet was convicted of all charges, including first degree murder.

Shavonn Norfleet pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Several witnesses took the stand on the first day of testimony.

One piece of evidence that stood out was the police interview, which took place hours after her stepdaughter died.

The State Attorney’s Office played the interview inside the court room.

In the recording, Shavonn admitted she called a friend in South Dakota and explained to him what happened before she called 911.

Attorneys said that phone call went on for at least 15 minutes.

Shavonn also admitted that she beat Jada because the bible said spare the rod, spoil the child.

“Spare the rod is sticks, rocks, belts, everything,” she said in the recording.

Shavonn also told police she turned up the volume on the TV while her husband beat Jada but she said her children weren’t abused.

Jada's older sister was asked to testify. She was asked if she was beat by her parents.

She said her dad and sometimes her mom gave her whoopings.

Paramedic Austin Gamble was also interviewed. He was first on the scene the night of the beating.

The paramedic testified that when he arrived, Jada’s arms and legs were purple and filled with fluid. It’s a sight he will never forget.

Gamble said he knew Jada was already dead but wanted to give her a chance to live because of her age. Police said her dad and stepmother beat her repeatedly with a plank of wood until the child went into cardiac arrest.

“The bruising appeared to be much more extensive than we initially thought,” Gamble said. “There was bruising all the way from her knees to her hips. The skin was … just very tight, and her thighs were full of fluid. The skin was tight, like you could burst it.”

Day two of the trial starts Friday at 9 a.m.

Action News Jax reporter Larry Spruill tweets from inside the courtroom:

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