5-year-old allegedly starved by parents fit in an infant body bag

GEISMAR, La. (TCN) -- A couple has been charged in connection with the alleged starvation of their 5-year-old son, and an investigator is calling it one of the worst cases he has seen in his career.

On Jan. 1, Marlon Perrilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, called 911 asking for help with their son, WAFB reports. They put their child, Marley Perrilloux, into the car and met deputies at a gas station. Deputies began performing CPR right away and the child was transported to an area hospital, where staff continued to administer CPR for about 45 minutes, until the child died. 

Marley Perrilloux was 19 pounds and 35 inches tall and fit into an infant body bag. WAFB reports that 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.” 

The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Unit opened an investigation based on medical staff’s reporting of Marley Perrilloux’s injuries and suspected severe malnourishment. Detectives executed a search warrant and found that the home was in poor condition and barely livable, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

The couple was interviewed and detectives found they had failed to provide proper hygiene, feeding, and medical care for Marley Perrilloux.

WAFB reports the child had been bedridden and hardly ever left the residence. Investigators were unclear when he had last eaten.

Perrilloux and Young were arrested and charged with negligent homicide, cruelty to juveniles, possession with intent to distribute drugs, and illegal carrying of weapons, WAFB reports.

Three other children in the home have been removed, per WAFB. Their names and ages have not been released.

Charges could be upgraded for Perrilloux and Young, and both are being held without bond. An autopsy for Marley Perrilloux is pending.

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