Anthony Grove, a 44-year-old Ohio man convicted of killing his infant son with a coffee mug, was arrested in Daytona Beach, Florida, on March 21 for violating parole. Authorities say he tried to gain sympathy from deputies by mentioning his deceased child during the encounter. Grove faces extradition to Ohio and additional local charges.
On March 21, patrol deputies with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office spotted Anthony Benjamin Grove, 44, and another man sitting on a seawall in the 700 block of North Beach Street in Daytona Beach, drinking from an open bottle of whiskey. A background check revealed active warrants from Ohio, including a parole violation issued on October 29, 2025, related to his 2015 conviction for domestic involuntary manslaughter in the death of his 2-month-old son, Zeeland Grove pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child endangering after throwing a ceramic coffee mug at the child's mother during an argument, striking the infant in the head. The baby died hours later at Akron Children's Hospital. Grove served eight years in prison and was released in 2023. His parole conditions required obeying all laws and obtaining a travel permit before leaving Ohio. During the stop, Chief Deputy Brian Henderson engaged Grove in conversation. 'I asked him if he had any kids... And he said, 'Yeah, I had two kids, and one passed away,'' Henderson recounted to WEWS. After expressing sympathy, Henderson learned of Grove's role in the death. 'As a father, that really p—ed me off that some guy would try to get sympathy from a stranger over the loss of his child, knowing that he's the reason his child is dead,' Henderson said. Grove also faces Florida charges for failing to register as a convicted felon and possessing less than 20 grams of cannabis. He remains in Volusia County Jail without bond. The sheriff's office is coordinating with Ohio officials for extradition. 'This is the kind of people we don't need on our beach,' Henderson stated.