by Hallandale Beach, Fla. – A tragic case has come to light where Robert Lee Boesenberg, a 30-year-old man from Hallandale Beach, is facing aggravated manslaughter charges for the death of his 6-month-old son, Lincoln Boesenberg, following severe and abusive head trauma.
This horrifying incident occurred only days after Boesenberg was awarded full custody of his infant son and his 1-year-old daughter, ending a prolonged period of foster care due to documented parental substance abuse issues.
A Harrowing Timeline of Abuse and Custody
On January 1, 2022, Lincoln was brought to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood unresponsive. Subsequent medical examinations revealed abusive head trauma, mainly caused by violent shaking, resulting in a skull fracture and brain bleeding.
Despite being previously healthy, Lincoln succumbed to craniocerebral blunt trauma just two weeks after arriving at the hospital. His death was officially ruled a homicide, marking a devastating outcome to the abuse.
Background of Custody and Prior Neglect
Boesenberg, along with the child’s mother, had temporarily lost custody of their children following their birth due to a history of substance abuse and neglect, as handled by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Both parents initially tested positive for substances, leading to foster care placement for Lincoln and his sister.
After a series of routine drug tests and supervised visits, Boesenberg and the mother were gradually granted increasing visitation rights, culminating in being awarded full custody on December 22, 2021, just 10 days before Lincoln’s injury.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The investigation into Lincoln’s death was prolonged, with the final autopsy report from the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office released on September 5, 2025, more than three years after the incident. Based on the findings, Hallandale Beach Police arrested Boesenberg on September 12, 2025.
He is currently being held without bond at the Broward Main Jail facing serious charges including aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse.
“The evidence shows a tragic case of severe child abuse, and the timing shortly after custody was awarded is deeply concerning,” said an investigator with the Hallandale Beach Police Department.
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Key Facts at a Glance
- Victim: Lincoln Boesenberg, 6 months old at time of injury
- Perpetrator: Robert Lee Boesenberg, age 30
- Location: Hallandale Beach, Florida
- Incident Date: January 1, 2022
- Full custody awarded: December 22, 2021
- Cause of death: Craniocerebral blunt trauma due to abusive head trauma
- Arrest date: September 12, 2025
- Current charges: Aggravated manslaughter of a child and aggravated child abuse
This tragic story underscores the critical importance of rigorous child welfare supervision and the devastating consequences when abuse occurs.
For further details, refer to the report published by Local 10 News.
Protecting Our Children: What Can Be Done?
Cases like this raise serious questions about the processes behind custody decisions and the monitoring of families with histories of substance abuse and neglect.
- Enhancing post-custody supervision protocols to ensure child safety
- Implementing more frequent and comprehensive health and welfare checks
- Providing parents with necessary support programs targeting addiction and parenting skills
- Increasing community awareness on signs of child abuse and encouraging immediate reporting
What do you think about this tragic case? Have you encountered situations where child safety was at risk? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
