JACKSONVILLE, FL – A Jacksonville man admitted in court this week to killing his infant son after authorities say he placed the child in the middle of a road and then drove over him with his truck during a heated argument with the boy’s mother.

Justin Golden, 20, entered a guilty plea Wednesday to one count of aggravated manslaughter of a child. The plea ends months of legal proceedings surrounding the January 25 death of 8-month-old Pablo Golden, who was fatally struck after Golden left him in an intersection and drove away. Prosecutors agreed to drop a vehicular homicide charge as part of the plea agreement. Sentencing is set for November 13.

The tragedy unfolded on a winter morning after what began as a simple outing. According to investigators, Golden, his son Pablo, and the child’s mother had just left a Walmart and were returning home when an argument erupted in the vehicle, reportedly about baby wipes and money.

As tensions escalated, Golden’s partner requested to be let out of the truck to end the quarrel. Golden responded by stating he did not want to be responsible for the child. Authorities say Golden then stopped his GMC truck at an intersection, removed Pablo from his car seat, and placed him on the roadway before driving away, fatally injuring the infant.

Witnesses at the scene recounted seeing the woman exit the pickup with nothing in her arms. Another motorist described watching as the truck’s driver got out, placed what initially appeared to be a bag on the ground, and then drove off. The witness said it became apparent the object was a baby after seeing it move in the road as the truck left the scene.

Pablo’s mother told police she heard screaming moments after leaving the vehicle, then turned around to see her son lying in the road. Emergency services rushed the infant to a local hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead a short time later.

Both sides of the boy’s family have been left devastated. Relatives described Pablo as a joyful baby who loved to play and spend time with his parents and sibling. The child’s grandmothers said that the families share a strong, long-standing relationship and are united in their mourning.

Court proceedings revealed that Golden did not flee the scene at high speed after the incident but was apprehended by police shortly thereafter. The fatal events and subsequent investigation drew significant attention and sparked a wave of grief in the Jacksonville community.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Golden will face sentencing in the fall, where the court will determine his penalty for the death of his son. Family members say they are focusing on supporting each other as they await the outcome of the legal process.