Authorities in Louisiana Arrest Father for Allegedly Abusing a Child Over Trouble with Math Homework

Union Parish, Louisiana - Authorities in Louisiana have arrested a father for allegedly abusing a child over trouble with math homework.

The Union Parish Sheriff's Office (UPSO) reported on March 9, 2023, that in October of 2022, deputies learned of an incident in the Marion, Louisiana region in which a child was allegedly struck by their father, supposedly for struggling with their homework.

The child's mother reported to UPSO deputies that the child's father, Marcus Jearrell Ford, 38, abused the nine-year-old while in his custody in Union Parish. Deputies discovered that the victim was struggling with their arithmetic assignment when Ford became irritated and struck the child in the face with a book, creating a scratch. Ford then allegedly punched the child in the chest with a clenched fist before sending the child outside. A sibling reportedly witnessed these occurrences and corroborated to deputies that the father struck the child many times, including once with a book.

Authorities were unable to locate Ford right away, so a warrant was issued for his arrest. On March 8, 2023, Ford was apprehended as a fugitive from Union Parish in Ouachita Parish. He was subsequently transported back to Union Parish and charged with Cruelty to a Juvenile, a felony.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.