staysblazed_xo
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Police said the 1-year-old boy, whose name has not been released, was found unresponsive around 7:30 a.m. local time Sunday in a 12th floor room at the Harrah’s New Orleans Hotel on Poydras Street, NOLA.com reports.
The boy was pronounced dead at the hospital, where first responders brought him after treating him themselves.
The boy’s parents, Shelbie Pinson, 32, and 27-year-old Billy Withers were arrested, along with another relative, 20-year-old James Watkins. The trio came from Mississippi and have been booked with child cruelty — defined as “intentional or criminally negligent mistreatment or neglect” which an adult inflicts upon a minor.
Pinson is also facing a charge for possession of drug paraphernalia after authorities found a glass pipe in the room.
As the dead child’s 3-year-old brother also had bruises on his neck and one around his ribs, as well as purple spots near one of his eyes, he was taken to the hospital as well.
Though the boy’s cause of death is still being investigated, a law enforcement source said scratches and bruising were found on his body.
Pinson, Withers, and Watkins all denied knowledge of how the 3-year-old got hurt, according to court filings, which noted Pinson admitted to smoking crystal meth with Watkins, which the latter corroborated.
Withers reportedly told authorities Pinson “has been known to be physical” with the kids, but noted he did not act in that way."
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