Ellenton man charged with aggravated manslaughter in death of 6-year-old girl

A man is being criminally charged after detectives proved he left his girlfriend's 6-year-old daughter in a hot car in Manatee County, the sheriff's office said.

The investigation began around 5:15 p.m. on May 20 when 24-year-old Markise Outing drove to a Manatee County Fire Department station in Bradenton seeking medical attention for the child.

Paramedics attending to the little girl found her unconscious, not breathing, and possibly in cardiac arrest, according to a news release. First responders continued providing life-saving care until she was rushed to a local hospital for advanced treatment.

Upon arrival at the hospital, medical staff discovered her core body temperature was 107.2 degrees. The 6-year-old girl was pronounced dead at 8:16 p.m. on May 20.

Outing initially told deputies that the child had overheated from playing at the park. However, investigators discovered evidence that contradicted his account.

GPS data and an extensive investigation revealed that Outing had left the 6-year-old girl inside a parked car at his place of business for several hours, the sheriff's office said. Deputies also noted inconsistencies in Outing's statements.

Further investigation showed that Outing picked up his girlfriend's daughter from school and drove to a business on 19th Street Court East off of 44th Avenue East around 2:45 p.m. Once there, he left the little girl alone in the car with the windows rolled up while he was inside the business.

Deputies estimated that the temperature inside the car exceeded 115 degrees.

An autopsy determined that the girl died from extreme heat. A toxicology report detailing the manner of death is still pending, according to detectives.

After gathering evidence and building a case, detectives arrested Outing on June 25, a little more than a month after the 6-year-old girl's death. He is charged with aggravated manslaughter.