Inset: Gabrielle E. Ayers (Jefferson County Jail). Background: The Arkansas home where Ayers” son died (Google Maps).
Authorities in Arkansas have charged a 23-year-old mother and her partner in connection with the death of their 2-month-old son. The couple allegedly inflicted a skull fracture on the infant and failed to seek medical help, later attempting to attribute the deadly injuries to an incident involving a car seat.
Gabrielle Elaine Ayers has been arrested and faces charges of first-degree murder and first-degree endangerment of a minor in the tragic death of her son, Sebastian Ayers. This information is confirmed by court documents.
The infant’s father, Timothy Mark Martin, is also charged with the same offenses but remains at large.
The Pine Bluff Police Department’s probable cause affidavit details that officers and emergency responders were called to a home on South Louisiana Street at 7:05 a.m. on January 3, 2025, following reports of an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, paramedics were administering emergency care to Sebastian, who was found cold to the touch.
Martin informed police that he had come home and attempted to wake Ayers and the baby, only to discover the infant was not breathing. As he performed CPR under 911 dispatch guidance, “blood expelled from Sebastian’s left nostril,” according to the affidavit.
Sebastian was rushed to Jefferson Regional Medical Center, where he was declared deceased. His body temperature was recorded at 88 degrees Fahrenheit, leading investigators to request an autopsy to further examine the cause of death.
Within days, authorities received information indicating the infant had been visibly injured before his death. A witness provided a photograph showing bruising on Sebastian’s face and swelling so severe that both of his eyes were shut. The injuries were believed to have occurred during the week of Christmas while the child was staying with Ayers and Martin at a relative’s home.
An autopsy later revealed the infant suffered “craniocerebral trauma,” including a skull fracture and subdural hemorrhage, along with hemorrhaging in the neck and spinal column. The medical examiner determined the injuries were “most consistent with inflicted traumatic injury” and not accidental.
Martin allegedly told investigators that he may have unintentionally injured Sebastian a few days before Christmas, but refused to seek any medical assistance for the boy.
“During the interview, Mr. Martin admitted to accidentally striking Sebastian in the face while removing him from a car seat on December 21, 2024,” the affidavit states. “He further admitted that he was intoxicated and frustrated at the time and that he deliberately refrained from seeking medical attention to avoid involvement from state authorities.”
Ayers told investigators she was aware of the incident but similarly did not seek medical care for her son.
A female witness who saw Sebastian after the injury said the baby “appeared injured” when Martin brought him into her home and that she offered to take him to a hospital, but Martin refused, saying he would seek care later. She described Martin as having a “temper” and said she gave the infant Tylenol in an attempt to ease his pain.
Authorities allege both adults knew the child was seriously injured and chose not to act, citing the failure to seek care, the severity of the injuries, and statements made during the investigation.
Ayers is currently being held in the Jefferson County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond. It was not immediately clear when she was scheduled to return to court.
