(Citrus County, FL) Friday, 33-year-old Brandon Lee Martalitsch, a Habitual Violent Felony Offender and Prison Releasee Reoffender, was sentenced to Life in prison after being found guilty earlier this year of Aggravated Child Abuse.
Martalitsch was arrested on March 31, 2025, after Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) deputies responded to allegations of abuse.
“This young infant was entrusted to the care and protection of the defendant, who instead inflicted horrific abuse,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Today’s life sentence holds the defendant accountable and ensures that this vulnerable child, or any other child, will never again be placed in harm’s way by this defendant.”
On March 21, 2026, CCSO deputies responded to the HCA Citrus Hospital in Inverness regarding a two-month-old child who had a right ankle fracture. The child had arrived at the hospital with the defendant, who stated that while jumping up onto the bed, he landed on top of the victim, causing the injury.
Medical personnel told responding deputies that the injury could have occurred according to Martalitsch’s statement of events. However, a skeletal exam was conducted on the infant and showed that the child had various other fractures that were in different stages of healing. These injuries were inconsistent with the normal handling of an infant and were consistent with abuse.
Detective Michael Mission of the CCSO’s Special Victims Unit was assigned to investigate the case. After reviewing the medical reports and speaking with the medical staff, Det. Mission confirmed with the victim’s mother that the defendant was the sole person with the victim the day of the incident. The mother confirmed that Martalitsch had video-called her, stating he had injured the baby. She arrived at the residence and observed the infant’s leg to be bruised and swollen, at which time she and the defendant took the child to the hospital.
Based on the medical findings and statements provided, Det. Mission developed probable cause for the defendant’s arrest.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Kaitlyn Mannis and Kevin Davis.
Published on 10/05/2026.