The death of a 2-year-old Ocala girl last week has been ruled a homicide, Marion County deputies said Tuesday.

  • Journee Blyden, 2, pronounced dead Friday, June 24
  • Her death has been ruled a homicide, deputies said
  • Contact Detective Frank Scala at 352-368-3548

Marion County deputies were dispatched on Tuesday, June 21, to a home on Hemlock Course Run in Ocala to a report of a 2-year-old girl not breathing and becoming unresponsive.

Journee Blyden had suffered head trauma and was immediately transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center, deputies said. Because of the severity of the girl’s injuries, she was flown to UF Health in Gainesville for further treatment.

Journee's doctors deemed the girl had no brain activity at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 23. She was pronounced dead Friday, June 24, deputies said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that witnesses stated Journee was playing and accidentally fell out of her crib, causing her injuries. However, the medical examiner ruled Journee's death as a homicide.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office is currently following up leads and speaking with witnesses.

Anyone with information about Journee's death is asked to contact Detective Frank Scala at 352-368-3548 or call Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 352-368-STOP.