Overview
- Investigators began draining and sifting a four‑acre retention pond in Deltona on Tuesday after developing new leads, and officers expect search teams and heavy equipment to remain on site through Thursday.
- The probe was reclassified as a homicide in April 2024 and centers on 41‑year‑old Nicole Baldwin, who was last seen by her daughter on Nov. 2, 2023 with personal items left at home.
- Mount Dora police are working with federal and state partners, including the FBI, FDLE, the State Attorney’s Office, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and FDOT, using dive teams and sifting crews to examine the pond.
- Nicole Baldwin’s husband, Brett Baldwin, was convicted and sentenced in July 2025 on unrelated child sexual abuse material charges and has not been charged in connection with his wife’s disappearance.
- Authorities are offering a $10,000 Crimeline reward for information, urge anyone with tips to contact Mount Dora police or Crimeline, and say they will hold a press conference if evidence is recovered.