GAMEOVER Task Force Arrests Mark Shriver for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child in Death of 18-Month-Old Child

Medical Examiner: child’s death resulted from cocaine toxicity, with probable mechanical asphyxia

Last month, the victim’s mother, 25-year-old Melissa Lehman, was arrested for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child and Child Neglect.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office GAMEOVER Task Force arrested Mark Shiver, 33, on Thursday afternoon on charges of Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child and Child Neglect in the 1400 Block of Goyer Avenue in Palm Bay.

According to Melbourne Police Lt. Trevor Shaffer, Shriver’s arrest stems from an incident that happened last July when officers responded to 68A Bluebird Blvd regarding a deceased child.

“Upon arrival, they located an 18-month-old female lying on the floor unresponsive,” said Lt. Shaffer. “Despite life-saving measures attempted by police and paramedics, the child was pronounced deceased on scene.”

Lt. Shaffer said the 18-month-old child was living in a small camper-style trailer with her mother, Melissa Lehman, Lehman’s boyfriend, and a friend of the couple identified as Mark A. Shriver.

“The trailer was littered with trash, drug paraphernalia to include hypodermic needles, prescription medication, loose wiring, and a loaded firearm, all of which were within reach of the child,” said Lt. Shaffer.

“In addition to the above hazards, rotten food and insects were prevalent throughout the trailer. In the months prior to the incident, Shriver had been sleeping with the child on a small bed measuring 38-inches by 75-inches. On the night of the incident, both subjects were in the bed and it is believed Shriver rolled on top of the child which caused her to suffocate. During separate interviews, all three adults stated that nothing was out of the ordinary, however, both males, including Shriver, admitted to using drugs intravenously the night prior.”

On October 18, 2021, the Brevard County Medical Examiner ruled that based on a post mortem examination and the facts of the investigation, the child’s death resulted from cocaine toxicity with probable mechanical asphyxia. Other significant factors included low body weight and the presence of cannabinoids.

“Based on the above circumstances, it was determined that Lehman did not provide a safe environment for her child which led to her death. Furthermore, Shriver’s actions also contributed to the death,” said Lt. Shaffer.

Last month, the victim’s mother, 25-year-old Melissa Lehman, was arrested for Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child and Child Neglect.

Both Shriver and Lehman are currently being held at the Brevard County Jail.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Tom Cahalan at 321-608-6453.

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