Charles Ivy: Florida man stabs mother of his children over 100 times, burns down apartment killing 10-month-old baby
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, FLORIDA: Charles Leon Ivy, 34, allegedly stabbed the mother of his children over 100 times, before setting fire to the apartment, which led to the death of the youngest among her three children, a 10-month-old boy. A four and five-year-old survived the fire.
The Florida man, who was father to at least two of the children, per Law&Crime, was charged with murder and arrested for his heinous crime. Through the investigation, Daytona Beach police shed light on how he set fire to the apartment and gave updates on the current health conditions of those who were admitted to the hospital following the incident.
What did Charles Leon Ivy allegedly do?
As per the Daytona Beach police report, Charles Ivy allegedly inflicted more than 100 stab wounds on the mother of his children, 30-year-old Den'Jah Moore, and abandoned her three children in a fierce blaze. The youngest, 10-month-old Messiah Calixte, tragically succumbed to his wounds after the arson attack.
Emergency services, responding to the residence just before midnight on November 21 due to the intense flames, were able to locate Messiah in his crib and also rescued Moore's two other children, aged 4 and 5. Calixte died at a hospital, while the older children survived, albeit in critical condition.
What did Daytona Beach police say about Charles Ivy's alleged crimes?
Investigators concluded that the fire had been intentionally set in two separate locations, the first being started in a bedroom, after which the kitchen stove was set aflame with all four burners activated.
Law enforcement's attention was drawn to Ivy as he was identified as the father of at least two of the children.
When they approached him to inform him about the fire, they found him loading suitcases and bags into an SUV outside his residence in the nearby city of Ormond Beach, as outlined in the arrest affidavit.
Investigators observed an injury to his leg and a cut to his hand. Ivy, along with another individual, left in the SUV and the two were subsequently pulled over by the police.
According to official documents, the other person stated that Ivy had informed her that the injuries to his leg and hand occurred while he was removing a fender from a trailer.
Ivy's co-workers informed investigators that he had clocked out around 10 pm. Ivy acknowledged being at the apartment complex during the fire but denied any involvement in the crimes, as stated in the redacted affidavit. He also claimed not to know of anyone who would want to harm Moore or her children.
Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young informed reporters that investigators obtained traffic camera footage depicting Ivy leaving the scene around the time of the fire. Additionally, Moore's cell phone was found to be in Ivy's possession, according to Chief Young.
The prosecutors wrote in the death penalty notice filed against Charles Ivy on December 20, “The capital felonies were heinous, atrocious, or cruel.”
Among other aggravating factors, they characterized the crimes as having been committed “in a cold, calculated, and premeditated manner without any pretense of moral or legal justification.” Ivy is currently facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and arson.
