Severe Child Neglect Case in Louisiana Leads to Arrests

A five-year-old boy, Marley Perilloux, died in Louisiana under conditions described as one of the most severe cases of child neglect encountered by local authorities. His parents, Marlon Perilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, have been arrested and charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles. They are also facing charges related to drug possession and illegal carrying of weapons. The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office reported that Marley weighed only 19 pounds at the time of his death, which occurred on January 1, 2023, after deputies responded to a medical emergency at a gas station in Geismar.

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Upon arrival, deputies found Marley unresponsive and administered CPR before he was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators noted that Marley’s weight and height—19 pounds and 35 inches—raised immediate concerns about severe malnourishment. Following his death, an autopsy was ordered to determine the cause, which remains pending.

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Investigators discovered alarming conditions at the family home, where three other children also resided. The interior was described as "barely livable," with trash scattered throughout and dirty mattresses on the floor. Authorities indicated that the parents had failed to provide proper hygiene, feeding, and medical care for Marley, who had reportedly been bedridden and never left the house. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Colonel Donald Capello characterized the case as "probably the worst case of child neglect I’ve seen in my 34 years of law enforcement."

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The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has emphasized the severity of the neglect observed in Marley’s case. Colonel Capello stated, “To put it in perspective, when the coroners come out, there are body bags for adults, and there are body bags for infants. And this child, 5 years old, fit in an infant body bag.” Following the arrests, the three other children living in the home were removed by state authorities.

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While the investigation is ongoing, there has been public outcry regarding the systemic failures that allowed such neglect to occur. Child welfare advocates have called for a review of the state’s child protective services to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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As the investigation continues, additional or upgraded charges against Marlon Perilloux and Raynisa Young may be forthcoming. The case has drawn significant media attention, prompting discussions about child welfare and the responsibilities of parents and guardians.

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• “This is probably the worst case of child neglect I’ve seen in my 34 years of law enforcement,” — Colonel Donald Capello, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office

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• “To put it in perspective, when the coroners come out, there are body bags for adults, and there are body bags for infants. And this child, 5 years old, fit in an infant body bag,” — Colonel Donald Capello, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office

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