On January 1, 2026, 5-year-old Marley Perilloux was found unresponsive at a gas station in Geismar, Louisiana, during a reported medical emergency around 9 p.m. Deputies from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office performed CPR and rushed him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead; he weighed just 19 pounds, indicating severe malnourishment. His parents, Marlon Perilloux, 33, and Raynisa Young, 27, were present—Marlon at the scene—and both now face charges including negligent homicide and second-degree cruelty to juveniles.
Investigation Findings
Authorities noted apparent injuries and neglect signs upon arrival, prompting a Juvenile Unit probe and a search warrant at the family home. The residence was deemed “barely livable,” with trash scattered, dirty mattresses on the floor, filth, and debris everywhere. Interviews revealed the parents failed to provide basic hygiene, regular feeding, or medical care; Marley had been bedridden and never left the home.
Charges and Current Status
In addition to neglect charges, Perilloux and Young face possession with intent to distribute marijuana, drug paraphernalia possession, and illegal weapons carrying. They were booked into Ascension Parish Jail without bond; no pleas or attorney details were available immediately. Three other children from the home were removed by the state, an autopsy is pending to determine cause of death, and further charges may follow.
This case highlights extreme child neglect intertwined with drug and weapon issues, drawing widespread attention for its severity—one deputy called it among the most disturbing seen. The prior Michigan shooting involved crossfire violence at a gas station, contrasting this deliberate home-based neglect tragedy.
