Deputies say the boy weighed 19 pounds; three siblings were removed from the home.
GEISMAR, La. — Two Ascension Parish parents were arrested after their 5-year-old son died on New Year’s Day, a case that investigators described as a likely starvation death. Deputies met the family at a gas station off Highway 73, performed CPR, and rushed the child to a hospital, where he died.
Authorities said the case has moved quickly because of visible signs of long-term neglect and statements collected in early interviews. The parents, identified by the sheriff’s office as Marlon Perrilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, are being held without bond at the Ascension Parish Jail on negligent homicide, cruelty to juveniles and weapons and drug counts. Detectives said the boy, identified as Marley Perrilloux, weighed 19 pounds and stood 35 inches tall at the time of his death, measures far below typical for his age. An autopsy is pending, and the district attorney is reviewing the file for potential upgraded charges.
On Jan. 1, deputies said Perrilloux and Young placed the child in a vehicle and called 911 as they drove to meet first responders. Deputies and medics attempted lifesaving measures at the gas station. “Within a couple minutes, the child was transported to a local hospital where they continued to work on the child for about 40, 45 minutes before the child just passed away,” said Col. Donald Capelo of the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said the boy had been bedridden and rarely, if ever, left the family’s apartment in Geismar. Neighbors told reporters they had no idea of the conditions inside and were stunned by the arrest news that followed later that day.
Detectives said cell phone video taken from inside the apartment showed trash on the floors, mattresses on the ground and debris throughout rooms shared by a family of six. Investigators said there were no signs of regular feeding, hygiene or medical care for the 5-year-old, and they were still working Sunday to establish when he last ate. Three other children in the home were taken into state custody after the parents’ arrest. Sheriff’s officials said the initial booking included negligent homicide, cruelty to juveniles, possession with intent to distribute drugs and illegal carrying of weapons. The district attorney said prosecutors will examine whether any other adults were aware of the child’s condition and, if so, whether they should face charges. Key questions about the child’s day-to-day care remained open pending the coroner’s full report.
Records show both suspects remained jailed with no bond as of the weekend. The sheriff’s office called the case among the most disturbing in decades, citing the child’s weight and size at death. Capelo said the boy was so small he fit into an infant body bag, a detail that has added urgency to the investigation and public reaction across Ascension Parish. The apartment complex sits near schools and a busy corridor in Geismar, a community south of Baton Rouge, underscoring how the case unfolded within earshot of neighbors who said they would have offered help if asked. Investigators continued canvassing the area and reviewing digital evidence while awaiting the autopsy’s final findings.
Prosecutors said they are preparing for potential grand jury review depending on the autopsy and additional witness statements. If the coroner rules the death a homicide tied to starvation or severe neglect, charges could be upgraded. A first court appearance for Perrilloux and Young is expected after the holiday, with formal arraignments to follow. The sheriff’s office said it plans to release additional information once the pathologist’s report is complete and when child welfare officials determine the long-term placement of the surviving siblings. Officials did not release a timeline for that review but said investigators are working through the weekend.
Outside the apartment Friday, neighbors described a quiet family that rarely interacted. “People be treating their pets almost better than that,” said neighbor Calvin Lewis, who added he and others would have shared food if they had known there was a problem. Deputies said they hope any resident who saw or heard something will speak with investigators to help fill in the days leading up to Jan. 1. As of Sunday, the sheriff’s office said there were no additional arrests and no court dates had been set publicly for the parents.
As of Sunday afternoon, the autopsy remained pending and the sheriff’s office said the investigation was ongoing. Officials said the next update will likely follow the coroner’s final report and scheduling of the suspects’ first appearance in Ascension Parish court.
Author note: Last updated January 18, 2026.