Sulphur, Louisiana - A Sulphur couple who were initially charged with cruelty to a juvenile now face upgraded charges of murder after a 4-year-old boy was discovered unresponsive.
On April 17, around 1:00 p.m., law enforcement officers from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office were sent to a residence on N. Claiborne Street in Sulphur, Louisiana regarding a 4-year-old boy who was not responsive.
When investigators interviewed the child's father, Scott A. Edwards, 26, and his girlfriend Jenna E. Morgan, 24, who live together in Sulphur, their explanations for the child's injuries did not match up and were not consistent with the severity of the injuries. Hospital staff noted that the boy's injuries, such as multiple brain bleeds and bruises at different stages of healing, were indicative of sustained abuse over a period of time.
On April 18, detectives were authorized by Judge Tony Fazzio to arrest Edwards and Morgan. The two were apprehended at a hospital and taken to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. They are facing charges of 2nd degree cruelty to a juvenile.
The child was declared brain dead on April 19 at a Baton Rouge hospital. On April 21, he was officially declared dead. In connection to the incident, Judge Tony Fazzio signed warrants for $1 million each for Edwards and Morgan, who are currently in custody at the Calcasieu Correctional Center, on charges of 2nd degree murder.
The investigation is ongoing, with Detective Alexander Vincent from CPSO's Special Victims Unit leading the case.
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.