NEW ORLEANS (Court TV) — A Louisiana couple is in custody after their 4-month-old daughter was found dead in their home, which authorities say was in deplorable condition.
Angel Taylor, 24, and Chevy Lafountain, 31, both of Reserve, face neglect and child abuse charges as well as second degree murder. (St John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office)
The parents, 24-year-old Angel Taylor and 31-year-old Chevy Lafountain, are facing second-degree murder, neglect, child abuse and other charges for the infant and the couple’s 13-month-old son, who was also in the couple’s home in Reserve, La., about 45 minutes east of New Orleans.
Officers responded on Tuesday, Aug. 1, around 9 am. and found the four-month-old girl unresponsive in a bed, St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office reported on social media.
The baby showed no signs of life and the coroner’s office pronounced her dead at the scene, prompting an immediate investigation into her death. Detectives collected evidence in the home and said the 13-month-old boy also showed signs of neglect and abuse. The boy was immediately taken into State custody.
“During interviews with Taylor and Lafountain, detectives determined their statements were inconsistent with the infant’s physical state and both appeared unremorseful for their actions that led to their daughter’s death and their son’s current physical condition and their living conditions,” authorities said.
On August 2, 2023, preliminary findings of the autopsy concluded the infant suffered from starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, severe neglect and child abuse, which led to her death.
Each are being held on a $600,000 bond. It was unknown if either suspect had an attorney who could speak on their behalf.
Scripps News Lafayette, an E.W. Scripps Company, contributed to this report.
