We have received a update from SRSO about the arrest of the father of his daughter who was found in a canal last night.
On 6/13/21 at approximately 7:15 pm, Deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a missing person call on Grand Navarre Blvd in Navarre. The caller advised a one-year old child was missing.
Deputies and other individuals searched the area and subsequently discovered the deceased body of the one-year old female in a canal near the home.
Detectives and Crime Scene arrived to investigate. Based on the investigation, the father of the child was arrested. He was identified as Tracy Colton Potter, 29 years of age from Navarre. Potter was charged with the following:
- Homicide Negligent Manslaughter of a Child – First Degree Felony.
Potter is currently being held at the Santa Rosa County Jail.
SRSO police report says, Potter committed culpable negligence by failing to supervise his one-year-old daughter, Makennah Potter resulting in her death .
The call to 911 was made at 7:15 p.m. last night to report a missing child.
Deputy shortly arrived and began searching for the missing child. The missing child was found face down and deceased in the canal.
Contact was made with a witness who observed Mr. Potter walking east on Gulf Boulevard while holding a young child. This took place at 8:25 AM. The witness recorded this with her cell phone. The video was reviewed by SRSO and it was determined that the subject was carrying a young child and that the subject appeared to be Mr. Potter.
A recorded interview of Tracy Potter was conducted.
According to Mr. Potter he was walking back to the residence at 7372 Grand Navarre Boulevard when he became dizzy and short of breath. Mr. Potter then stated that he sat down on a bench and fell asleep.
Mr. Potter stated that he did not remember walking back to the residence from the bench. Mr. potter also stated that he did not remember when he got back to the residence. According to Mr. Potter the next thing he remembers is waking up on the couch and inside of the residents and looking for his child.
Based upon the statements from all parties involved and the fact that Mr. Potter failed to supervise his child , which resulted in her death , Mr. Potter was arrested and transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail on the charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child. No bond was given.
Navarre Newspaper reminds are readers that Tracy Colten Potter is presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
