2-month-old girl suffered in silence before dying from fatal spinal injury inflicted by her parents who neglected and abused her since she was born; parents charged
Louisiana – In a deeply disturbing case in Louisiana that has horrified authorities, a 2-month-old girl’s death has led to murder charges against her parents, 18-year-old father T. Broussard and 20-year-old mother K. Fontenot, who investigators say subjected the infant to relentless abuse and neglect from the day she was born.
Broussard and Fontenot were arrested and charged with first-degree murder, cruelty to a juvenile, and second-degree battery after medical examiners discovered that their baby had endured catastrophic injuries — including “a severed lower spine, resulting in internal bleeding and ultimately, death.” Both remain behind bars in jail, held without bond as prosecutors prepare to pursue the most severe penalties allowed by law.
The tragedy unfolded just after 8 a.m. on October 25, when officers from the police department were dispatched to a home after a 911 call came in reporting “a medical emergency.” When officers entered the small residence, they found the infant lying motionless — “not breathing,” as police later described in their report. First responders immediately began CPR as paramedics rushed to the scene. The baby was transported to a nearby hospital, but doctors could not save her. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
What initially appeared to be a medical crisis soon revealed something far darker. Medical staff quickly realized the child’s body told a story of sustained torment. Marks covered her tiny frame, and X-rays revealed numerous rib fractures — some old, some new. The baby also showed signs of “extreme dehydration and malnourishment.” Then came the autopsy results — the final, devastating confirmation. The infant’s lower spine had been completely severed, leading to fatal internal bleeding. Investigators later said the injuries were consistent with violent force and unmistakable signs of abuse.
After the autopsy, investigators interviewed the child’s parents. Police confirmed that the baby “had been in their exclusive custody since birth,” leaving no doubt about who was responsible. Detectives quickly identified Broussard and Fontenot as the primary suspects. Arrest warrants were issued immediately. Fontenot was located first and taken into custody by the Police Department’s Special Operations Division. Broussard managed to evade arrest for several days before finally turning himself in. Both were booked in jail, facing charges that carry the possibility of life imprisonment — or worse.
In a statement following the arrests, Police Chief G. LeBlanc said the investigation had shaken everyone involved. “Our hearts are with this infant who suffered unimaginable abuse,” he said. “This case is in its early stages, and our investigators are working tirelessly to uncover every detail. We ask the public for patience, cooperation, and assistance in helping us pursue justice.” Authorities described the case as “active and ongoing,” with forensic specialists and detectives continuing to gather evidence about the child’s final weeks.
The death of the unnamed infant, whose short life was marked by pain and deprivation, has left the local community reeling. For investigators, her story stands as a stark reminder of the horror that can hide behind closed doors — a child suffering in silence until her small body could take no more. While the justice system now turns its focus to Broussard and Fontenot, the memory of their daughter will linger — not in words she never had the chance to speak, but in the evidence that will speak for her in court.
