Two Louisiana parents have been taken into custody following the death of their 2-month-old daughter, who authorities say suffered severe abuse.
According to the Opelousas Police Department, officers arrested the infant’s mother on Oct. 25 after responding to a call that the baby was not breathing. The child was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
An investigation revealed that the baby had sustained multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a severed lower spine, along with signs of extreme dehydration and malnourishment. Police determined that the infant’s parents, Kaylee Fontenot and Taylor Broussard, had been the child’s sole caregivers since her birth.
Authorities obtained warrants for both parents on charges of first-degree murder, cruelty to juveniles, and second-degree battery. Fontenot was quickly taken into custody, while Broussard remained at large for several days before turning himself in on Nov. 3. He was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail.
“Our hearts are with this infant who suffered unimaginable abuse,” Opelousas Police Chief Graig LeBlanc said in a statement. “This case is in its early stages, and our investigators are working tirelessly to uncover every detail. We ask the public for patience, cooperation, and assistance in helping us pursue justice.”
If you suspect child abuse, contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or visit www.childhelp.org. The hotline operates 24/7, is free, confidential, and offers support in more than 170 languages.
