Plantation man accused of killing wife and toddler ordered to undergo mental health screening

The Plantation man accused of killing his wife and toddler before trying to take his own life earlier this week stood before a judge on Sunday for the first time.

Jean Carlos Aponte, 40, is being held with no bond on two counts of premeditated first-degree murder.

At his first court appearance Sunday, the judge ordered him to undergo a mental health screen.

Aponte was found unconscious while his wife, Sara Ashley Gama, and 2-year-old son, Ethan, were found dead inside their Plantation home on Tuesday.

Aponte was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after officials said he tried to take his own life through a self-induced drug overdose.

Broward Sheriff's Office

Neighbors said the couple's newborn baby was unharmed and later picked up by family members.

Recently, Aponte, a military veteran, had reached out for help to address his mental health.

Army veteran and Purple Heart honoree Chris Haley told NBC6 on Wednesday that Aponte reached out to Catch A Lift Fund, a group that provides former service members mental health support through working out. Haley accepted Aponte to the program.

"It’s a bummer because that is the whole reason why our organization exists," Haley said. "It's to kind of stop this. So when it does happen, it's pretty shocking because that’s kinda what we're trying to avoid."

Haley said Aponte was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and a traumatic brain injury.

"He had very strong desire to make things right because he had a wife and a kid on the way," he said. "That was one of the things I remember very clearly is he wanted to do things right and be a positive example for his family."

Police have not released how or why Aponte allegedly killed his wife and child.

"He was struggling. I couldn’t tell if it was severe, but it's a struggle and I think he wanted to get better," Haley said. "I don’t think he wanted to be miserable and I think he realized you got to do something for yourself sometimes."

One neighbor shared Ring camera video of Aponte going for a walk with his 2-year-old son just a day earlier.

Police spent their Wednesday in a canal behind the family's home looking for what neighbors believe was a cellphone.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.