Inset, left to right: Kaylee Fontenot and Taylor D. Broussard (Opelousas Police Department). Background: 200 N. Liberty St., Opelousas, La. (Google Maps).
In Louisiana, the tragic death of a 2-month-old girl has led to her parents facing serious charges of abuse and neglect. Authorities report that the infant died from internal bleeding caused by a severed lower spine.
Taylor Daniel Broussard and Kaylee Fontenot have been apprehended and are facing charges that include first-degree murder, cruelty to a juvenile, and second-degree battery, as announced by law enforcement officials.
On the morning of Saturday, October 25, around 8 a.m., officers from the Opelousas Police Department were dispatched to a residence on the 200 block of North Liberty Street in response to a “medical emergency.” This location lies approximately 60 miles west of Baton Rouge, according to a news release from the department.
Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered the baby girl unresponsive. They quickly initiated lifesaving measures until paramedics assumed control. The infant was then rushed to a nearby hospital, but tragically, she was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.
An autopsy conducted by the medical examiner uncovered the extent of the infant’s suffering, revealing that she endured severe neglect and physical abuse during her brief life.
The examination showed signs of the baby having sustained multiple broken ribs at various stages of healing, indicative of repeated abuse. Additionally, she suffered from “extreme dehydration and malnourishment.” The autopsy also confirmed the fatal injury: a severed lower spine, which led to internal bleeding and ultimately caused her death.
Police began conducting interviews and soon identified the victim”s parents as Broussard and Fontenot, emphasizing that the victim “had been in their exclusive custody since birth.” Arrest warrants were quickly issued for both parents.
Investigators with OPD’s Special Operations Division located Fontenot on Friday and took her into custody. Broussard remained at large for several days before he turned himself in, police announced Monday.
Both were booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail where they are currently being held. It was not immediately clear when they were scheduled to appear in court.
In a statement, OPD Chief Graig LeBlanc emphasized that the investigation into the parents remained “active and ongoing.”
“Our hearts are with this infant who suffered unimaginable abuse,” he said. “This case is in its early stages, and our investigators are working tirelessly to uncover every detail. We ask the public for patience, cooperation, and assistance in helping us pursue justice.”
