Police: Girl, 4, died from disciplinary beatings

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – Police say a 4-year-old Jacksonville girl died after her father and stepmother used a piece of lumber to discipline her.

According to police, Jada Norfleet was hit multiple times before paramedics were called to her home on Friday.

Chief of Investigations Chris Butler told The Florida Times-Union (http://bit.ly/1CYz1IW ) that the child had been hit on the arms and legs in an “ongoing abusive situation for months.” He said she died from blunt-force trauma.

Police arrested 31-year-old John Ross Norfleet and his 33-year-old wife Shavonn Chanyell Norfleet. They face murder and aggravated child abuse charges and were in jail Wednesday. A Feb. 23 hearing is scheduled.

John Norfleet is a teacher at Andrew Jackson High School.

The Department of Children and Families said it never received reports of child abuse.