The piercing wail of a siren shattered the quiet morning in New Roads, Louisiana, on April 14, 2025, as police rushed to a home on Pennsylvania Street. Inside, they found a scene that would haunt the small community: a one-month-old infant, lifeless, with blood seeping from his mouth and nose. Despite desperate efforts to revive him, the baby was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The child’s mother, 19-year-old Ke’iondra Butler, now stands accused of his death, charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. The tragedy has left this tight-knit town grappling with grief and questions about how such a loss could occur.
The New Roads Police Department responded to the call around 9:40 a.m., initially treating it as a medical emergency. Officers found the infant in distress, his tiny body showing signs of trauma that raised immediate concerns. Blood around his mouth and nostrils, coupled with visible welts on his skin, suggested something far more sinister than a natural death. As police questioned Butler, her explanation of the events leading to her son’s death unraveled. Her account, described by authorities as inconsistent, failed to align with the physical evidence at the scene. Pointe Coupee Parish District Attorney Tony Clayton noted that the discrepancies in her story, combined with the condition of the child’s body, prompted a deeper investigation.
Further examination revealed older injuries on the infant, including welts that hinted at prior abuse. The coroner’s office is conducting an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death, with investigators looking for evidence of blunt force trauma, malnutrition, or other forms of mistreatment. The Louisiana State Police crime lab was called in to process the scene, collecting additional evidence that solidified suspicions about Butler’s involvement. By Monday evening, she was arrested and booked into the Pointe Coupee Parish Detention Center, her bond set at $550,000.
In the wake of the infant’s death, authorities discovered another child in the home—a two-year-old sibling. A judicial order swiftly placed the toddler in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services, ensuring their safety while the investigation continues. The removal of the second child underscores the gravity of the situation and raises questions about the environment in which both children were living.
The case has struck a deep chord in New Roads, a community of fewer than 5,000 residents where such tragedies are rare. Police Chief Louis Hamilton expressed the collective heartbreak, stating that the department is committed to seeking justice for the infant. The loss of a child, particularly under such circumstances, has prompted an outpouring of grief and disbelief among neighbors and local leaders. The New Roads Police Department issued a statement extending condolences to those affected, emphasizing their resolve to uncover the truth.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are piecing together the events that led to this devastating outcome. The autopsy results, expected in the coming weeks, will be critical in determining the full extent of the infant’s injuries and the precise cause of death. For now, Ke’iondra Butler remains in custody, facing charges that carry severe consequences. Second-degree murder in Louisiana can result in life imprisonment without parole, while obstruction of justice adds further weight to her legal troubles.
This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities of the youngest members of society and the critical role of community vigilance. In New Roads, a town now mourning one of its own, the pursuit of justice for a child who never had a chance to grow up has become a shared mission. The coming months will likely bring more answers, but for now, the community holds its breath, hoping to prevent such a loss from happening again.