20-month-old girl dies, father charged with murder and mom also arrested, police say
Jun. 28 2021, Published 11:56 a.m. ET
A 20-month-old girl in Louisiana died after her father brought her to the hospital and now police say that same man has been charged with her murder.
On June 3, James Garland Ward, 27, brought the toddler to Singing River Hospital, according to authorities.
The baby was unresponsive, so she was taken to Ochsner’s Hospital in New Orleans, where she eventually died, police said.
The Sun Herald reported an investigation was started and medical records were being examined. Police have not released how the baby died or how the toddler was injured.
Ward was arrested on June 24 and charged with capital murder, officials said.
On the same day, the baby’s mother, Taranekia Marie Amerson, 27, was also arrested for a parole violation warrant, police said.
On June 25, Amerson was charged with hindering prosecution, officials said.
Both Ward and Amerson are being held at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center.
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