Father Charged with Second-Degree Murder After Tragic Death of One-Year-Old Child in Front Royal

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, around 2:40 p.m., Front Royal Police responded to a residence on North Royal Avenue following a distressing report of a one-year-old child in cardiac arrest. Medics from Warren County Fire & Rescue were already on the scene, swiftly preparing to transport the child to Warren Memorial Hospital. Despite medical efforts, the child was tragically pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Officers secured the scene, and the Front Royal Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division began an immediate investigation. Detectives, working closely with hospital staff, were quickly joined by members of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, who located and brought in the child’s father, 24-year-old Nathaniel Lee Edmonds, for questioning.

NATHANIEL EDMONDS

After a thorough investigation and consultation with the Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, Edmonds was charged with second-degree murder under Virginia Code 18.2-32. As the case remains under active investigation, further details have been withheld to protect the integrity of the inquiry.

Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact Detective Z.S. Wallace at (540) 636-2208 or via email at zwallace@frontroyalva.com.