A 25-year-old Virginia man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following the death of his 2-year-old son in a case that revealed disturbing conditions, drug exposure, and prolonged neglect.
Cinceir Croxton received the sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder, child abuse, and drug-related charges connected to the death of his son, Cinceir “CJ” Croxton Jr. The child died on December 7, 2023, after being rushed to the hospital from a hotel room in Spotsylvania County.
Authorities said Croxton called 911 after noticing his son was unresponsive. CJ was transported to a nearby hospital, where doctors later discovered the toddler had cocaine in his system. Medical staff alerted law enforcement immediately due to the alarming test results.
When deputies arrived at the hotel, they uncovered a troubling scene. Investigators reported finding cocaine residue on a gaming console, additional cocaine stored in an unlocked safe, and a firearm hidden inside a clothes hamper. In total, officers recovered approximately 70 grams of cocaine and around $4,000 in cash from the room.
The hotel room also contained a Pack ’n Play holding a reptile enclosure with live snakes. Medical examinations later confirmed that CJ tested positive for salmonella — a bacteria commonly associated with reptiles. According to investigators, when hospital staff attempted to treat the child for salmonella, both Croxton and the boy’s mother refused consent for treatment.
Further investigation revealed that CJ suffered from sickle cell disease, a serious medical condition requiring consistent monitoring and treatment roughly every two months. Officials stated that he had not received the necessary medical care for his condition.
Records showed that Child Protective Services had previously opened an investigation when CJ was just six months old. The complaint alleged that Croxton would leave the infant unattended in his car seat with loud music playing because he could not tolerate the child crying. However, authorities said the family moved frequently, making it difficult for caseworkers to locate them. The investigation was eventually marked incomplete.
Prosecutors argued that CJ’s death was not the result of a single incident, but rather a pattern of dangerous decisions and repeated failures to provide basic care. During sentencing, Croxton told the court he loved his son deeply. The presiding judge rejected any suggestion that the child’s death was accidental, stating that a series of deliberate choices created the environment that ultimately led to the toddler’s death.
The child’s mother, Kahleighya Coleman, also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse charges. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The case has drawn attention to issues of child neglect, drug exposure in homes with young children, and the importance of medical compliance for children with serious health conditions. Court officials emphasized that the sentence reflects the gravity of the circumstances and the irreversible loss of a young life.
