Boy, 5, dies weighing just 19 pounds; parents accused of starving him to death, authorities say

GEISMAR, La. (WAFB/Gray News) - Two parents in Louisiana are in jail, accused of starving their 5-year-old son to death.

Investigators say it is one of the most disturbing cases they have ever worked on in Ascension Parish.

Marlon Perrilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, are charged with cruelty to juveniles, negligent homicide and possession with intent to distribute drugs.

They were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail without bond.

The child weighed only 19 pounds when he died. Investigators said he was bedridden and apparently never left the house.

The case came to light on New Year’s Day when detectives said the boy’s parents put him in a car and called 911, looking for help.

Deputies met them at a gas station off Highway 73 and started CPR on the child.

“Within a couple of minutes, the child was transported to a local hospital where they continued to work on the child for about 40 to 45 minutes before the child just passed away,” Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Col. Donald Capelo said.

“This is probably the worst case of child neglect I’ve seen in my 34 years of law enforcement,” Capelo added. “To put it in perspective, when the coroners come out, there are body bags for adults, and there are body bags for infants. And this child, 5 years old, fit in an infant body bag.”

Cellphone video obtained exclusively by the WAFB I-Team shows the family’s apartment unit in Geismar, where a family of six was living in filthy conditions. Trash could be seen thrown around, with mattresses on the floor.

Neighbors said they were stunned by the news and had no idea what was happening inside the home.

“People are treating their pets almost better than that,” neighbor Calvin Lewis said.

Neighbors said they would have gladly helped if the family had asked.

“We’re a neighborhood where if somebody needs something ... we can help out,” Lewis said.

Authorities said their investigation is ongoing and charges could be upgraded against Perrilloux and Young.

Three other children in the house were removed by the state following the parents’ arrest.

The district attorney said they will also be checking whether any other adults knew about the child’s condition, and if they did, they could face charges.

An autopsy is pending on the boy. Investigators said it was unclear when the child last ate.

Capelo urged other parents dealing with tough times to seek help.

“They need to seek help, whether it be through a family member, whether it be through DCFS, a division of the state, but you have to seek help,” he said. “You have to do whatever you can and whatever means you have to just take care of your children.”