Father Sentenced to Prison After Toddler Son’s Tragic Death Involving Snakes and Cocaine Exposure

A Virginia father faces a 20-year prison sentence following the tragic death of his 2-year-old son, who was found with cocaine in his system after spending time in a Pack ‘n Play alongside snakes.

Cinceir Croxton, aged 25, was sentenced earlier this week for the death of his son, Cinceir “CJ” Croxton Jr. Last fall, Croxton admitted guilt to charges including second-degree murder, child abuse, and drug offenses.

As reported by WRIC, the local ABC affiliate, the tragic incident occurred on December 7, 2023. Several months later, both Croxton and the boy’s mother, Kahleighya Coleman, found themselves under arrest.

The family had been residing at an Econo Lodge in Spotsylvania, partly to avoid attention from authorities regarding their son’s welfare. It was here that Croxton discovered his son unconscious and promptly called 911. Despite being rushed to the hospital, young CJ’s life could not be saved.

Medical personnel, upon finding cocaine in CJ’s system, alerted the police. The response from the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office led them to the hotel room, where they uncovered cocaine on a PlayStation and within an unlocked safe, in addition to a firearm hidden in a clothes hamper. Overall, deputies seized approximately 70 grams of cocaine and $4,000 in cash.

Also in the hotel room was a Pack ‘n Play containing a reptile cage with snakes, WRIC reported. CJ reportedly tested positive for salmonella, which is carried by snakes. When the hospital tried to treat CJ for salmonella, Croxton and Coleman refused to allow them to do so.

CJ also had sickle cell disease, which needed treatment every two months, but he received none. Child Protective Services began investigating the parents when CJ was 6 months old after the agency received a complaint that Croxton would leave CJ alone in his car seat with loud music playing when he was fussy because he could not “tolerate him crying.”

However, Croxton moved the family from their home which made it difficult for CPS to find them. CPS marked the case incomplete.

Coleman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse charges last month and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, WRIC reported.

Croxton claimed at sentencing that he loved his son “dearly,” but Judge William Glover said CJ’s living situation “inevitably” killed him.

“None of these actions were accident,” Glover told Croxton, per WRIC. “It was a series of choices you made.”