ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies have arrested a man in connection to the death of his infant daughter in Orange County.
Darius Nichols, 20, has been charged with with first degree murder after the girl, Nova, died on Wednesday.
Nichols told investigators that the 3-month-old girl fell off a sofa after he left her there while in his bathroom, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
He said he then woke up the child’s mother, who ran to the neighbor’s for help.
But OCSO investigators said an autopsy found the baby had skull fractures and broken ribs in different stages of healing.
They also noted that the couch was less than 21 inches off the ground and had an area rug underneath it, making it unlikely an infant could be killed by a fall.
Nichols has also been charged with aggravated child abuse.
“In her short life, baby Nova suffered horrific abuse and trauma. She is resting peacefully now, and our detectives will get justice for baby Nova,” OCSO said in a social media post.
Detectives said they found fentanyl pills in the bathroom he claimed to be using and messages to a friend urging the friend to get their belongings before police searched the house.
On the ride to jail, Nichols asked the deputy what jail was like and if he deserved to be locked up. He also said something about how Nova managed to get her injuries, but the section on the report was redacted.
ARRESTED: Darius Stephone Nichols, 20, for First Degree Murder and Aggravated Child Abuse in the death of his 3-month-old daughter, Nova. Nichols told investigators that the baby fell from the sofa and became unresponsive on April 30. An autopsy showed baby Nova‘s skull was… pic.twitter.com/PRC1o6MGWp
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) May 6, 2025
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2025 Cox Media Group
