A Dead 3-Year-Old Was Brought to a Louisiana Hospital. Now, 3 People Face Charges of Abuse

Three people have been charged in Louisiana after allegedly bringing a 3-year-old child to the hospital dead, according to authorities.

The Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office shared in a social media post on Wednesday, March 5, that Kewanna Monique Lard, 44, Dewanequa Monique Nykeria Lard, 23, and Szysznyk DeWayne Phillips, 48, were charged with cruelty to juveniles.

Kewanna and Dewanequa were also charged with second-degree cruelty to juveniles and obstruction of justice.

According to the sheriff’s office, investigators responded to Bienville Medical Center on Feb. 13 after being informed about Bienville Parish residents “who arrived at the emergency room with the deceased child.” An autopsy was conducted on the 3-year-old as officers investigated what led to the child’s death.

“Following an autopsy, investigators began to look further into suspected physical abuse of the deceased child as well as a [14-year-old child] who resided in the same household,” police said in a statement.

Police said that Kewanna, Dewanequa and Phillips lived together with the 14-year-old child and 3-year-old child — both of whom were not identified — in a home in Lucky, La., according to the release.

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The sheriff’s office said investigators were able to obtain “sufficient evidence” in order to arrest the trio and charge them. They were booked into the Bienville Parish Jail, with bond set at $100,000 on each count, police said. 

Police said that their “investigation is ongoing” and “additional charges are pending” in the case. 

PEOPLE has reached out to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office for more information on the case.

Local outlet KTBS-TV identified the deceased 3-year-old as Rayshawn “Nico” Lard. According to an online obituary, the child was born in Castor, La., on Oct. 9, 2021.

He was described as a child who “loved PAW Patrol,” as well as “his mom, siblings and cookies.” His funeral was held by his family on Feb. 28.

Sheriff John Ballance told KTBS-TV that at this point in their investigation, none of the three people arrested so far have been charged with homicide. 

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.