Reserve, Louisiana – A Louisiana couple has been charged with child neglect, child abuse, and 2nd-degree murder in connection with the death of an infant daughter and abuse of another child.

A couple from Reserve, Louisiana was taken into custody on August 1, 2023, due to allegations of abusing their 13-month-old son and for the death of their four-month-old daughter, discovered lifeless in a bed in their residence. The couple, Angel Taylor, 24, and Chevy Lafountain, 31, residents of Reserve, Louisiana are looking at charges related to child neglect and child abuse along with second-degree murder.

Officers were called to an address on the 100 block of Northwest 18th Street in Reserve, around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, due to reports of an infant who was no longer breathing. When emergency medical personnel arrived, they found a four-month-old girl who was unresponsive in a bed. They could not detect any vital signs, leading the coroner to officially declare the baby dead at the scene.

Investigations initiated by detectives into the baby’s demise revealed that the house was in a terrible state. They also reportedly found significant signs of neglect and mistreatment toward the couple’s 13-month-old son.

The investigation led to the arrest and charging of Taylor and Lafountain. They are accused of child desertion (misdemeanor) and cruelty to juveniles with force/violence (felony) for the crimes they committed upon their 13-month-old son, pending autopsy results of their four-month-old daughter. They are also awaiting autopsy results for their four-month-old daughter, which may lead to additional charges.

Initial autopsy results on August 2, 2023, determined that the young child’s death resulted from starvation, malnutrition, dehydration, severe neglect, and child abuse.

In their conversations with Taylor and Lafountain, investigators found that their claims did not match the baby’s physical condition. Moreover, their lack of remorse for the actions that caused their daughter’s demise, their son’s current state of health, and their living conditions became evident.

Aside from the preliminary accusations, Taylor and Lafountain were also charged with second-degree murder.

Following the arrest on preliminary charges and second-degree murder, Judge Nghana Lewis has fixed bail at $600,000 without the 10 percent option for Taylor and Lafountain.

The child, who is 13 months old, is under the care of the state.

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