Guardian Kills Toddler, Police Say

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. -- A South Florida man is behind bars today after police arrested him for the murder of a 16-month-old child.

Police say Gregory Joseph (pictured) was the legal guardian of the toddler, who was rushed to the hospital shortly after midnight Thursday after apparently suffering seizures. The child died at the hospital.

An autopsy determined the child died from blunt force trauma and the death was ruled a homicide.

Police say when they interviewed Joseph, he admitted striking the toddler with his hands. Joseph was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse and felony first-degeree murder. He is being held at the Miami-Dade County Jail.

Last October, the toddler's mom and dad said they couldn't care for their child anymore. Joseph, reportedly a friend of the mother, volunteered and became the child's legal guardian with the Department of Children and Families' blessing. Joseph also had two other children in his care.