Largo Mother Says She Hit Toddler During 'Moment Of Frustration'

LARGO, FL – The mother of 2-year-old Jordan Belliveau told police that “a moment of frustration” led to the toddler’s death.

According to Charisse Stinson’s arrest affidavit, the 21-year-old mother admitted to causing her son’s death by backhanding him across the face.

"The mother made significant admissions about what happened to the child," said Largo Police Lt. Randall Chaney during a press conference Wednesday morning.

Stinson told police that, when she hit her son, the little boy’s head hit a wall and he began having seizures. Stinson, however, did not seek medical help. Instead, she took him to a wooded area off Lake Avenue and McMullen Road and left him to die.

Chaney said information provided by another source led police to the wooded area that had not been searched previously. There, police found Jordan's body. He was not wrapped in anything, Chaney said.

Police said injuries on the boy’s body match Stinson’s description of what occurred.

To cover up the crime, Stinson fabricated an elaborate story about getting a ride from a stranger while walking to a friend’s house around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1. She said the stranger knocked her unconscious and left her in Largo Central Park. When she awoke at about 1:30 a.m., Jordan was gone.

A statewide Amber Alert was issued prompting a massive search by law enforcement from five agencies before Jordan’s body was found Tuesday afternoon.

Stinson is in jail charged with first-degree murder. During her arraignment Wednesday, Sept. 5, the judge denied Stinson bond.

Jordan's grandmother, Jessica Belliveau, applauded the judge's decision.

"She doesn’t deserve bond," said Jessica Belliveau. "Why should she be given a chance? My grandson didn’t have a chance."

The court system recently returned Jordan to Stinson's care after removing him from the home and placing him in foster care when he was 3 months old. The child's removal from the home was in response to a complaint that the baby was being exposed to an environment of drugs, gangs and violence.

A child protection investigator from Directions for Living, a child welfare agency that provides reunification services in Tampa Bay, checked on the mother and child Friday and found Jordan in good condition, according to Largo Police.

Nevertheless, Stinson, who is expecting another child in December, gave Spectrum Bay News 9 an interview before Jordan's body was found in which she insisted, “I am a good mom.”

Stinson, who is unemployed, did not live with Jordan’s father, who had an alibi at the time he disappeared. Chaney said police have been in contact with the father.

Chaney said detectives who interviewed Stinson had doubts about her story from the start, saying portions of her tale sounded "made up."

Ultimately, they were proven correct.

During the time Stinson said she was unconscious on Largo Central Park, police said she was actually placing Jordan's body in the wooded area where he was discovered.

The bruises on her face were self-inflicted, said Chaney, and the video showing Stinson searching Largo Central Park for her son was pretense.

"We do not believe there was ever an Antwan or a white Camry," he said. Elaborate details, such as the a crucifix hanging from the rear-view mirror and the description of Antwan's clothing were all fabricated, he said.

However, police released a video of a customer at a 7-Eleven on East Bay Drive, who may have encountered and spoke with Stinson and her son that night. Police would like to speak with him but Chaney emphasized he was a passerby and not involved in the crime.

"We do not believe anyone else involved," he said. "She was the lone actor in this horrible crime."

Police will have more information on the cause of death following an autopsy of the body Wednesday morning. Stinson said her son was still alive when she placed him in the woods but that will be confirmed during the autopsy.

Throughout Tuesday evening, residents left stuffed animals around the street sign at McMullen Road and Lake Avenue in memory of the toddler. Many of these residents joined in the search for the boy.

A celebration of life planned for tonight has been canceled. It will take place Thursday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Largo Sports Complex, 1640 McMullen Road, Largo, instead.

See related stories:

Largo Mother Arrested For Death of 2-Year-Old Son

Largo Police Receive More Than 60 Tips On Missing 2-Year-Old

Police Search For 2-Year-Old Missing From Largo

Image via Largo Police

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Image via Largo Police