Digest

Man dies after falling from shrimp boat

By TIMES WIRES
Published June 30, 2007

FERNANDINA BEACH

A 41-year-old man died after falling from a commercial shrimp boat in the Amelia River, investigators said.

David C. Milliken of Fernandina Beach was on working on nets Thursday evening on the Lady Suzy Q, when he fell into the water and was unable to reach the rescue ring thrown to him, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators.

The boat's captain, Glen D. Huls, 47, dove into the water with the ring and swam to Milliken, who had been face down in the water for about three minutes, commission officials said.

Milliken was brought aboard the shrimp traveler, but he was unresponsive to CPR.

Emergency medical personnel met the vessel at the Amelia shrimp docks, but pronounced Milliken dead at the scene, officials said.

The investigation into his death is continuing, commission spokeswoman Karen Parker said.

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS

Mother gets 20 years in death of toddler

A mother was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing her 23-month-old daughter by leaving her alone in a hot truck for 50 minutes.

Christina Martin, 29, wept Thursday when Circuit Judge Kelvin Wells announced the sentence. Martin had pleaded no contest to felony aggravated manslaughter.

She told investigators that she went inside her Panhandle home on Aug. 25 and fell sleep for almost 50 minutes while her child remained in the vehicle. When she awoke and found her daughter still in the truck, she took the girl inside and put her in the bathtub.

Martin left her in the tub and went to a neighbor's home to call 911.

She told investigators that the neighbor wouldn't let her use the phone, so she drove to get her mother. She left the child alone at home and did not call 911 until she returned.

The child was dead when authorities arrived.

Investigators said drug use may have been involved.

[Last modified June 29, 2007, 23:47:11]