Louisiana Mom Accused of Beating Her 8-Month-Old Baby Boy to Death: 'Absolutely Heartbreaking'

A Louisiana mother is behind bars after police say she beat her 8-month-old son to death.

Autumn Victoria Harper, 24, of Franklinton was charged with first-degree murder, the ​​Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a press release on Wednesday, March 19.

The victim was identified as Sterling Rodgers, local news stations WDSU 6 and FOX 8 reported.

Franklinton police chief Justin Brown told WDSU 6 it was an “absolutely heartbreaking” situation, which he said allegedly included ongoing abuse.

“Preliminary information that we have through an autopsy is we do have skull fractures that are there. We do have fractures in the ribs, arms, legs, but I’m being told that the vast majority of those injuries are healing injuries,” Brown told the outlet. 

“I think it’s probably one of the worst cases that I’ve ever experienced, that I’ve personally worked on in my career,” the police chief added. 

Brown admits he has questions.

“Why was it not seen? Why was it not prevented?” he asked.

The Franklinton official stated that if Harper “knew she was having difficulties,” why didn’t she give Sterling to someone else who could have taken care of him. 

Sterling was taken to Riverside Medical Center last week with severe injuries before being airlifted to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, where he later died Monday, March 17, the outlet reported.

Harper’s mother, Natasha Hano, told Fox 8 through tears that the death of her only grandchild was “devastating.”

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

“I’m gonna miss everything about him,” the grandmother said. 

“Every time I close my eyes I have nightmares, see bad images,” Hano said, referring to the 8-month-old as “my heart.”

Brown told Fox 8 that Harper “admitted to” the injuries, which included brain swelling. 

Hano partially agreed with the police chief’s statement.

“She’s admitted to small things, like putting her hand over his mouth, maybe when he was crying,” she said of her daughter disciplining the infant. 

Harper appeared to be struggling with her mental health, according to Brown. 

“You have a mother that has exhibited signs and admitted to the fact that she’s caused harm to her child. How could mental health not be involved?” he said.

The grieving grandmother shared what she will miss most about Sterling.

“Everything made him smile. He was just a happy baby. He loved his mama and his maw-maw very much. Those were his two favorite people,” Hano told Fox 8.

The ​​Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office said in their press release that no bond has been set for Harper at this time.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.