Louisiana couple in custody after 4-month-old daughter found dead in their home

The baby showed no signs of life and the coroner’s office pronounced her dead at the scene. Photo / 123RF

Warning: The article contains descriptions of child abuse and violence.

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, were arrested and face second-degree murder, neglect and child abuse charges, among others, St John the Baptist parish sheriff Mike Tregre told news outlets. Each are being held on a $600,000 ($987,774) bond. It was unknown if either suspect had an attorney who could speak on their behalf.

Deputies responded to a call of an infant not breathing. When first responders arrived, they found the infant in her bed but she was unresponsive, the sheriff’s office said.

The baby showed no signs of life and the coroner’s office pronounced her dead at the scene. An autopsy concluded she suffered from starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, severe neglect and child abuse leading to her death, the sheriff’s office said.

The couple’s 13-month-old son also showed signs of neglect and abuse and was taken into state custody, authorities said.

Tregre said the couple “appeared unremorseful” during questioning.