Mother Charged After 6-Year-Old Found Dead in Milton Home

Milton, FL (BuzzReport) — A 6-year-old child is dead and her mother faces a murder charge following a late-night emergency call that has shaken a quiet Milton neighborhood.

According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched shortly after midnight on February 25, 2026, to a residence in the 5000 block of Nowling Drive following a 911 call reporting a cutting incident inside the home.

When deputies arrived, they discovered 40-year-old April Oliva lying beside the body of her 6-year-old daughter. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities confirmed that Oliva sustained injuries during the incident. She was transported to a local hospital, where she remains under medical care. Investigators have since obtained a warrant for her arrest on a charge of murder in connection with the child’s death. Officials have not yet disclosed the nature of her injuries or whether they were self-inflicted.

The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation. Detectives spent hours processing the scene overnight, collecting evidence and conducting interviews in an effort to determine the events leading up to the child’s death.

Law enforcement officials have not released details about a possible motive, prior calls to the residence, or whether any other individuals were present at the time of the incident. Investigators have also not said who placed the initial 911 call.

Neighbors described the area as typically quiet and family-oriented, expressing shock as crime scene tape surrounded the property through the early morning hours.

“This is a deeply tragic case,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, offering condolences to those affected. “Detectives continue to gather evidence and conduct interviews.”

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional information is expected to be released as authorities continue working to piece together what led to the fatal incident.

Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.