PLANTATION, Fla. – A 40-year-old man appeared in court on Sunday, accused of killing both his 2-year-old son and his 38-year-old wife at their home in Plantation. Their 3-month-old child survived.
Jean Carlos Aponte was hospitalized on March 26 after a failed suicide attempt, police said. He stands accused of stabbing his son Ethan and his wife Sara Ashley Gama in the Jacaranda Lakes area.
According to neighbors, the couple’s 3-month-old baby was under the care of grandparents.
Plantation police officers arrested Aponte on Saturday after his release from the hospital. Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies booked him at the main jail in Fort Lauderdale.
Aponte was wearing an anti-suicide smock when he appeared before Broward County Circuit Judge Elijah Williams, who found probable cause for two counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
“I will order a mental health screening,” Williams said in court.
Williams denied him bond. Records show Broward County Circuit Judge Andrew L. Siegel was set to preside over the case.
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