In a disturbing case of severe child neglect, a five-year-old Louisiana boy named Marley Perilloux tragically passed away weighing only 19 pounds, with his emaciated body fitting inside an infant-sized body bag. Marlon Perilloux, 33, and Raynisha Young, 27, the child’s parents, have been arrested and charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles.
Deputies responded to a medical emergency call at a gas station in Geismar, Louisiana, on January 1st, where they found the unresponsive Marley. The boy was rushed to a nearby hospital, but sadly died. Investigators immediately opened a child abuse and neglect investigation after observing Marley’s severe malnourishment and apparent injuries.
Upon visiting the family’s home, deputies reported finding the interior in poor and barely livable condition, with trash scattered throughout and dirty mattresses laid directly on the floor. Through interviews, investigators determined that the parents had “failed to ensure proper hygiene, feeding, and medical care” for Marley, who had been bedridden and never left the home.
“This is probably the worst case of child neglect I’ve seen in my 34 years of law enforcement,” said Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Col. Donald Capello. “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.”
Marley’s cause of death has not yet been determined, and an autopsy is pending. Perilloux and Young were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail and are being held without bond. The three other children living in the home have been removed by the state, and the investigation is ongoing.
This tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of severe child neglect and the urgent need for greater awareness and intervention to protect vulnerable children. Authorities have expressed their determination to ensure justice is served and to prevent such horrendous incidents from occurring in the future.