5-Year-Old Boy Who Died Weighing Just 19 Pounds Faced 'Barely Livable' Conditions at Parents' Home, Police Say By Christina Coulter

A 5-year-old boy who died weighing 19 pounds allegedly faced “barely livable” conditions at home, Louisiana authorities say. The boy’s parents face criminal charges tied to alleged neglect.

Marlon Perilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, were arrested following the death of their son, Marley Perilloux, according to a press release from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. Both are charged with negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles, along with several drug- and weapons-related offenses.

Deputies were called to a gas station in Geismar at about 9 p.m. on Jan. 1 for a reported medical emergency involving a child, the sheriff’s office said. When they arrived, they found Marley unresponsive. He was with his father, Marlon, at the scene.

According to the press release, deputies immediately began performing CPR while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive. Marley was rushed to a nearby hospital as deputies and other first responders continued life-saving efforts, but he was later pronounced dead.

Detectives with the sheriff’s office Juvenile Unit opened an investigation after noticing apparent injuries on the child and identifying broader signs of neglect, including severe malnourishment, the release stated.

As part of that investigation, detectives executed a search warrant at the home where Marley lived with his parents. Inside, investigators found conditions they described as “barely livable.”

During interviews, detectives determined that both parents had failed to provide basic care for their son, including proper hygiene, regular feeding, and necessary medical attention, according to the press release. Marley weighed approximately 19 pounds at the time of his death.

In addition to the neglect-related charges, Perilloux and Young were also charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal carrying of weapons, the sheriff’s office said.

Both were booked into the Ascension Parish Jail without bond. It was not immediately clear if either had entered a plea or retained an attorney.