Authorities in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, have arrested a local couple following the death of their five-year-old son, who weighed only 19 pounds when deputies found him unresponsive on New Year’s Day.
Marlon Perilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, are currently being held without bond at the Ascension Parish Jail. Both face charges of negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles, in addition to several drug and weapons offenses.
The investigation began on the evening of January 1, 2026. Around 9:00 p.m., deputies from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) responded to a medical emergency call at a Geismar gas station. At the scene, they discovered five-year-old Marley Perilloux unresponsive in the company of his father.
READ: Minnesota Teen Daycare Worker Confesses To Suffocating Baby In Chilling “Attention Seeking” Ploy
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies immediately initiated CPR and continued life-saving efforts alongside emergency responders while the child was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite these efforts, Marley was later pronounced dead.
Detectives with the APSO Juvenile Unit launched an immediate probe after noting visible injuries on the child and signs of severe neglect. The investigation quickly turned to the child’s home environment.
Upon executing a search warrant at the residence shared by Perilloux and Young, investigators described the conditions as “poor” and “barely livable.” Detectives allege that the state of the home was a direct result of the couple’s negligence.
READ: ‘The National Emergency Is Avoiding A National Emergency’: Bessent Defends Preemptive Tariffs
Following interviews with both parents, authorities determined that they had failed to provide the child with essential care, including proper hygiene, medical attention, and adequate nutrition.
The lack of nourishment was reflected in the child’s weight; at five years old, Marley weighed approximately 19 pounds—a weight typical for an infant, not a kindergarten-aged child.
In addition to the charges related to their son’s death, Perilloux and Young were booked on counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and illegal carrying of weapons.
Officials have stated that the investigation remains active and noted that further or upgraded charges could be forthcoming as detectives continue their work.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
