BELLE ROSE, La. — A 26-year-old Belle Rose man has been arrested on a first-degree murder charge following the death of a 3-year-old girl, according to Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon.
Sheriff Falcon said Bernard JR Fleander, 26, of Belle Rose, was arrested Thursday following an investigation into the child’s death.
Deputies were dispatched to Assumption Community Hospital in Napoleonville at approximately 3:20 a.m. Thursday after a man brought an unresponsive child to the facility. Medical personnel immediately attempted life-saving measures, but the child was pronounced dead a short time later.
Investigators determined Fleander had transported the child to the hospital and had been caring for her and other children at the time of the incident. Authorities said Fleander is not the biological father of the child.
Detectives reported observing significant injuries throughout the child’s body.
A search warrant was later executed at a residence in the 6700 block of Highway 308 in Belle Rose. Investigators also interviewed witnesses who were reportedly present at the home when the incident occurred.
The child’s body was transported to a forensic facility for an autopsy. Authorities said the manner of death was determined to be homicide.
Fleander was initially detained as part of the investigation. As detectives continued gathering evidence Thursday afternoon, an arrest warrant was obtained.
Fleander was then arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges of First-Degree Murder and Failure to Appear in Assumption Parish on a Simple Battery charge.
He remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing.
Sheriff Falcon said the investigation remains ongoing, but no additional arrests are anticipated at this time.
