A toddler, aged three years, was killed by two male cousins, aged 12 and 10, while two mothers were at a casino. The incident took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The young suspects are now facing murder charges. Additionally, Dineshia Yates, the toddler’s mother, and Terice Scott, mother of the 10-year-old and aunt of the 12-year-old, have been implicated and charged with child neglect.
The fatal incident took place on February 12 at the residence of Scott on O’Neal Lane in Baton Rouge. The victim, Blessing Buckles, suffered from a brain bleed and widespread bruising on her face and body, indicative of the blunt force trauma inflicted by the boys.
East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call from another child in the residence about an unconscious child and found no adults in the home. The child making the call was unsure of the location, which led deputies to start knocking on doors in the area. A car with hazard lights flashing pulled up during the search, with two women inside who had just returned from a casino.
Both 26-years-old, friends Yates and Scott, who are not related, confessed that they had left all eight children, whose ages ranged from 11 months to 12 years, at home while they were at the casino. At the time of the incident, Yates and her children were residing with Scott and her family.
The toddler, Blessing, succumbed to her injuries two days later, on February 14, at the hospital. Medical personnel confirmed the severity of her injuries.
Inquiries revealed that Yates had noticed bruises on at least one of her daughters after leaving them alone with the 12-year-old boy, who Scott knew had a history of violence. Despite this knowledge, the women allegedly continued to leave the children without adult supervision.
Scott has a record of criminal activity, with charges of murder in 2021 and arson in 2023. Yates has past arrests for theft and property damage.
The two young suspects are facing charges of battery and second-degree murder.
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux extended his condolences to the family and emphasized that such cases can be prevented. The Department of Children and Family Services has been alerted about the situation, underscoring the need for vigilance in protecting children from harm.