TAMPA, Fla. – The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a murder suspect.
On Monday, January 11, 2021, deputies obtained an arrest warrant for Claude Brooks, 33, following a year-long investigation surrounding the death of a child.
On December 30, 2019, deputies and paramedics responded to a home located on the 9000 block of Sunset Drive in Tampa, where a family member found a young child unresponsive.
The child passed away at Brandon Regional Hospital shortly after being transported.
After conducting several interviews and follow-up interviews, collecting forensic evidence, and reviewing autopsy results that indicate the child sustained serious physical injuries, detectives believe Brooks is responsible for the child’s death.
“Detectives have been working this case for more than a year, determined to uncover the real reason why this innocent child died,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “At the time of the call, deputies did not find any indication of foul play, but after further investigation, detectives obtained enough evidence to charge Brooks with First Degree Murder While Engaged in Aggravated Child Abuse.”
Anyone who sees or knows where Brooks is located is urged to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.