A 5-year-old boy named Marley was found unresponsive at a Geismar, Louisiana gas station on Jan. 1 and later died at a hospital. Authorities say he weighed about 19 pounds and showed signs of severe malnourishment; an autopsy is pending. His parents, Marlon Perilloux and Raynisa Young, were arrested without bond and face negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles charges, among other drug and weapons counts. Three other children were removed from the home while investigators continue their inquiry.
5-Year-Old Marley Dies After Severe Malnourishment; Parents Arrested on Neglect and Homicide Charges
Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office/FacebookMarlon Perilloux; Raynisa Young
A 5-year-old boy identified as Marley died after being found unresponsive at a gas station in Geismar, Louisiana, on Jan. 1. Authorities say the child was so severely underweight that he weighed approximately 19 pounds and measured 35 inches tall at the time of his death.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office (APSO) deputies were dispatched around 9:00 p.m. on New Year’s Day to a reported medical emergency involving a juvenile. Deputies performed CPR at the scene and emergency medical personnel continued lifesaving efforts before transporting Marley to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead after roughly 40–45 minutes of treatment, officials told WAFB.
Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office/FacebookMarlon Perilloux's mugshot
Allegations of Severe Neglect
APSO investigators quickly opened a criminal inquiry after they received reports of visible injuries and concerns of severe malnourishment. A search warrant executed at the residence shared by Marley and his parents, Marlon Perilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, revealed living conditions described as "poor" and "barely livable," with stained mattresses and trash observed inside the home.
Col. Donald Capello, APSO: "This is probably the worst case of child neglect I’ve seen in my 34 years of law enforcement. To put it in perspective, this 5-year-old fit in an infant body bag."
Investigators said interviews with the parents indicated failures to provide proper hygiene, feeding and medical care. The boy reportedly had been bedridden and had not left the residence; it was unclear when he had last eaten. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.
Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office/FacebookRaynisa Young's mugshot
Charges, Other Children, And Ongoing Inquiry
Perilloux and Young were arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail without bond. Both face charges including negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles, as well as possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal carrying of weapons. Authorities said additional or upgraded charges may be forthcoming.
Following the arrests, state authorities removed three other children from the home. APSO officials said the criminal investigation is ongoing and that they are coordinating with other agencies as the autopsy and inquiry proceed.
Resources
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. Calls are toll-free, confidential, and available 24/7 in multiple languages.
Reporting on this case cites the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office and local outlets including WAFB and PEOPLE. Additional facts will be released as the investigation and autopsy are completed.
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