SANTA ROSA BEACH MAN ARRESTED ON AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE CHARGES
A Santa Rosa Beach man is behind bars after brutally beating a four-year-old child over the course of two days.
Jamal Marquise Allen, 30, was arrested Thursday, June 5, 2025, by deputies with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) on two counts of Aggravated Child Abuse. The arrest was made in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Task Force.
The young boy, who is a member of Allen’s family, had been staying at Allen’s residence on Exuma Way along with Allen’s own children. During that time, Allen used a belt and a clothes hanger to beat the child. The following day, he struck the child again using a phone charging cord.
The child was later returned to a relative’s home in Okaloosa County. Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting possible abuse and responded to the location. Deputies discovered multiple welts on the boy’s body, consistent with the reported abuse, and began an investigation.
Once they were informed that the incidents took place at Allen’s residence in Walton County, Okaloosa County investigators immediately notified WCSO. A warrant for Allen’s arrest was issued by WCSO and was adopted by the US Marshal’s Task Force.
“The abuse of a defenseless child is heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. “We are grateful to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and to the U.S. Marshals Task Force for their assistance in making this arrest. Justice for this young boy is our top priority.”
WCSO deputies located Allen and took him into custody without incident. He was booked into the Walton County Jail, where he remains held on a $100,000 bond.