A Louisiana couple has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect and cruelty after the death of their severely malnourished son.
On Jan. 1, authorities responded to a medical emergency call involving a juvenile around 9 p.m. at a gas station in Geismar, Louisiana, according to a press release shared via Facebook on Friday, January 16.
When authorities arrived at the scene, officers found a 5-year-old boy Marley Perilloux no answer
“Deputies immediately began performing CPR while waiting for emergency services,” the news release said. “The young man was transported to an area hospital while officers and other first responders continued life-saving measures. The young man was later pronounced dead.”
Following reports of “apparent injuries” to the child, as well as “additional concerns of child neglect, including severe malnutrition,” detectives from the APSO Juvenile Unit opened an investigation into the fatal incident.
While searching the home of the boy’s parents, Marlon Perilloux i Raynisa Youngdetectives noted that the property was in “poor” and “unlivable condition”. Upon interviewing the couple, they discovered that both parents “failed to ensure adequate hygiene, nutrition and medical care” for their son, who weighed only approximately 19 pounds at the time of his death. (This weight is much more typical for a child under 1 year than for a 5 year old).
An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death.
Perilloux and Young were arrested by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office and are currently being held in the Ascension Parish Jail without bond.
Perilloux, 33, was charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to minors, while Young, 27, was charged with negligent homicide, second-degree cruelty to minors, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a weapon.
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col. of the Sheriff of Ascension Parish. Donald’s hat called the situation “probably the worst case of child neglect I’ve seen in my 34 years of law enforcement.” WAFB.
“To put it in perspective, when the coroners come out, there are body bags for adults, and there are body bags for babies. And this 5-year-old boy fits in a baby body bag,” Capelo continued.
Capelo then urged families struggling to parent adequately in difficult times to “seek help” from their support system or local authorities.
“Whether it’s through a family member, whether it’s through DCFS, a division of the state, but you need to seek help,” she said. “You have to do everything you can and whatever that means you just have to take care of your kids.”
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A neighbor of the couple, Calvin Lewiswas shocked to hear what happened to the 5-year-old, telling WAFB, “People treat their pets almost better than this.”
He also stated that the parents were part of a helpful community that would have provided the family meal or any kind of extra help if they had asked for it.
“We’re a neighborhood where somebody needs something, that we have something going on, you’re more than welcome to come get a plate or, you know, any way we can help,” he said.
Perilloux and Young could still face additional or upgraded charges as the case continues to be investigated.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Helpline for children at 1-800-422-4453.