Father arrested in baby-shaking death of son

LARGO - Police have arrested Michael L. Giovo, 28, on a charge of murder after they say he abused his 3-month-old son.

According to police, Giovo was taking care of his son Skyler on Thanksgiving night when Giovo's fiance, Jessica Hooper, went to sleep.

The next morning, Skyler was lethargic, fussy and refusing to eat. He soon developed seizure-like twitches, according to police Sgt. John Trebino.

Giovo and Hooper brought the baby to All Children's Hospital on the day after Thanksgiving, where the child was diagnosed with a severe brain trauma - even though there was very little outside bruising.

Giovo initially told police that the baby had fallen off the couch onto the ground - a drop of 18 inches onto a carpeted floor.

But a doctor at the hospital said the damage to the child's brain suggested far more serious injuries, consistent with shaken baby syndrome.

On Saturday, Giovo was arrested on a charge of aggravated child abuse.

A few days later, on Wednesday, Skyler Giovo died at the hospital.

Michael Giovo was charged with murder the next morning. He continues to deny any wrongdoing, police said.

Giovo, an air-conditioning technician, is being held at the Pinellas County Jail without bail.

Police said that Hooper had no knowledge of the alleged crime.

Jonathan Abel, Times staff writer

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