St. Petersburg, FL – The St. Pete Police arrested Desiree Rentz in connection with the death of nine-month-old Timothy David Smith, born October 26, 2023. Rentz faces charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and misrepresentation of a childcare license resulting in death.
Police responded to a call at 1:46 p.m. on July 25, 2024 at an apartment located at 5628 Lynn Lake Dr. S., The Reserve at Lake Pointe Apartments, regarding an unresponsive infant. Timothy David Smith, who was under Rentz’s care, was pronounced dead after failing to wake from a nap.
Investigations revealed Rentz was operating an unlicensed daycare with over a dozen children in her one-bedroom apartment. The Florida Department of Health and the Department of Children and Families confirmed Rentz did not possess a daycare license. She displayed licenses for temporary foster care with a capacity of one child.
An autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office determined the infant was administered cough syrup not recommended for children under four years old, without parental consent or knowledge.
Rentz was apprehended with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. The investigation remains ongoing.
