Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Artem Eydelman (Arrested)
DOB: 12/02/1988
Address: 12091 117^th Street North, Largo
Charges: One count of First Degree Murder, one count of Violation of Probation- Robbery by Sudden Snatching, and one count of Violation of Probation- Dealing in Stolen Property.

Mariah Samon (Mother)
DOB: 06/16/1992
Address: 12091 117^th Street North, Largo

Gwendolyn Eydelman (Victim- Deceased)
DOB: 09/26/2018
Address: 12091 117^th Street North, Largo

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a man after he fatally beat a seven-week-old baby in Largo.

When:
Deputies were called to the residence at about 5:04 p.m. on November 17, 2018.

The child died at about 4:45 p.m. on November 19, 2018.

The suspect was arrested at about 5:40 p.m. on November 26, 2018.

Where:
The incident occurred at a private residence located at 12091 117^th Street North, in unincorporated Largo.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested a man after he fatally beat a seven-week-old baby in Largo.

According to detectives, at about 5:04 p.m. on November 17, 2018, deputies were called to a residence located at 12091 117^th Street North, in unincorporated Largo, for a report of an unresponsive child.

When deputies arrived, paramedics were rendering aid to 7-week-old Gwendolyn Eydelman. Gwendolyn was unresponsive and not breathing.

Gwendolyn was transported to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital with life threatening injuries.

Detectives made contact with Gwendolyn’s father, 29-year-old Artem Eydelman who was at the home caring for Gwendolyn’s while the child’s mother, 26-year-old Mariah Samon, was at work.

Artem initially told detectives that he fed Gwendolyn and laid her down in her bassinet before falling asleep in his bed. Detectives say Gwendolyn’s bassinet was located in Artem and Samon’s bedroom. Artem claimed that he returned about 15 minutes later and found Gwendolyn in her bassinet unresponsive and not breathing.

Artem said he alerted a family member in the home and called 911.

Doctors informed detectives that Gwendolyn had suffered a severe skull fracture consistent with high force impact, bleeding on the brain, and numerous rib fractures consistent with compression trauma.

Detectives say doctors removed Gwendolyn from life support and she succumbed to her injuries at about 4:45 p.m. on November 19, 2018. 

During the course of the investigation, detectives identified several inconsistencies in Artem’s statements.

Through various investigative techniques, detectives learned that Artem struck Gwendolyn in the head and squeezed the child’s midsection prior to the child losing consciousness on November 17, 2018.

On November 26, 2018, detectives interviewed Artem at the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Artem admitted to detectives he struck Gwendolyn in the head with a closed fist out of frustration while changing her diaper on November 17, 2018. Artem also admitted to shaking the child and squeezing the child’s midsection prior to calling 911.

Detectives arrested Artem and transported him to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Artem was charged with one count of First Degree Murder, one count of Violation of Probation- Robbery by Sudden Snatching, and one count of Violation of Probation- Dealing in Stolen Property.

Detectives say Artem was not Gwendolyn’s biological father. Mariah informed detectives she first met Artem when she was three months pregnant with Gwendolyn. Artem signed Gwendolyn’s birth certificate when she was born. 

The investigation continues. 

Artem Eydelman booking photo.