Louisiana Couple Arrested After Head Start Facility Reports Black Eye and Marks Concealed with Cosmetics on Child

Lafourche Parish, Louisiana – A Louisiana couple has been arrested after a head start facility reported a black eye and marks that were concealed with cosmetics on a child.

On April 24, 2023, Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Bayou Blue, Louisiana couple for alleged cruelty to a juvenile. Ray Matherne Jr., 27, and Amber Doiron, 28, of Bayou Blue, Louisiana were arrested on Friday.

On Friday, April 21, 2023, juvenile detectives were summoned to a head start facility about a child who arrived with a black eye that had been concealed by cosmetics, as well as marks on the neck and arm. Detectives repeatedly discovered that Matherne had allegedly struck the juvenile two days before and that Doiron had allegedly grabbed the child, producing marks on the neck and arm. Investigators also reportedly discovered that the pair applied makeup to disguise the child’s black eye. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for each of them.

Matherne and Doiron were apprehended and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux, Louisiana on Friday evening. Each suspect was charged with one count of cruelty to a juvenile. Matherne was released on a $50,000 bond on Saturday morning. Doiron is still being held in jail, with bail set at $50,000.

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.