State Files to Seek Death Penalty for Erica Dotson and Joshua Manns for Murder of 3-Year-Old West Melbourne Child

Dotson and Manns will remain in custody with no bond at the Brevard County Jail

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The State of Florida filed to seek the death penalty for Erica Dotson, 27, and Joshua Manns, 25, in the First Degree Felony Murder of 3-year-old Nance Jameson on June 11, 2021.

Dotson and Manns was indicted by the Grand Jury on July 28, charged with First-Degree Felony Murder, Aggravated Child Abuse, Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, and Child Abuse in connection to the death of Jameson at their Lago Circle apartment in West Melbourne.

The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, saying the child had suffered multiple inflicted injuries over time that ultimately resulted in death.

After a weeks-long investigation, West Melbourne police discovered evidence that both Manns and Dotson physically abused the child, attempted to conceal the abuse, and neglected to seek immediate medical treatment for his injuries.

In their notice, prosecutors described the murder as “especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel” and was committed while the defendants were either engaged in or were an accomplice to aggravated child abuse.

They also cited provisions indicating that the couple had committed the capital felony on a person under 12, and stood in a “position of familial or custodial authority over the victim.”

Dotson and Manns will remain in custody with no bond at the Brevard County Jail.

The case is set for Docket Review before Judge Steve Henderson on August 25 at 9 a.m. at the Moore Criminal Justice Center.

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