Anthony Grove, a 44-year-old man previously convicted for the involuntary manslaughter of his two-month-old son, has been taken into custody following a chance encounter with law enforcement on a Florida beach. Grove, who served an eight-year prison sentence, was arrested on March 21 in Daytona Beach after being wanted for alleged parole violations, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
Chance Encounter During Police Patrol
Officers were patrolling the coastal district of Daytona Beach in anticipation of large spring break crowds when they came across Grove sitting by a wall. Chief Deputy Brian Henderson described how Grove "played it real cool" as deputies checked his information during the encounter, which was captured on video shared by the sheriff's office.
Disturbing Conversation Revealed
Henderson explained that he asked Grove if he had children as an icebreaker during their interaction. "He said, 'Yeah, I had two kids, and one passed away,'" Henderson recounted. "I showed him some sympathy about 'Man, I'm really sorry to hear that.' Well, he left out obviously one of the big parts."
The chief deputy expressed particular outrage at Grove's attempt to gain sympathy. "As a father, that really p*ssed me off that some guy would try to get sympathy from a stranger over the loss of his child, knowing that he is the reason his child is dead," Henderson stated emphatically.
Tragic Circumstances of Infant's Death
The original incident occurred over a decade ago when Grove threw a ceramic coffee mug at the child's mother during an argument. The mug struck the infant, Zeeland, in the head while his mother was holding him. The two-month-old was rushed to a hospital but died the following day from his injuries.
Grove pleaded guilty in 2015 to involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, receiving an eight-year prison sentence. He had originally faced murder charges before accepting the plea agreement. According to court records, Grove was released from prison in 2023 but subsequently violated his parole conditions.
Current Charges and Legal Status
Following his recent arrest, Grove now faces additional charges in Florida including failure to properly register as a convicted felon and possession of cannabis under 20 grams. Daily report archives from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office confirm these new allegations against the previously convicted man.
The case has drawn renewed attention to the tragic death of infant Zeeland and the ongoing legal consequences for Grove more than a decade after the fatal incident. Law enforcement officials emphasized that Grove's casual demeanor during the beach encounter contrasted sharply with the gravity of his past actions and current legal situation.
