Parents charged with capital murder in connection with toddler’s death in Biloxi
BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - A 2-year-old’s mother and stepfather have been arrested and charged with murder after the child was found dead on December 27 in Biloxi.
Authorities arrested and charged 38-year-old Joseph David Heard and 21-year-old Hailey Leann Heard with capital murder.
The charges stem from an incident on December 27. Investigators say the woman called for help around 6 a.m. after she found her son unresponsive. First responders arrived at the 300 block of St. Mary Blvd and took the boy to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Initially, the two were arrested on felony child abuse charges on Jan. 5, but the charges were upgraded on Jan. 6 due to investigators gathering more information.
On that day in December, the parents said the child stopped breathing and Joseph conducted CPR. However, WLOX News Now obtained the police arrest report that details that the child had multiple bruises covering the body and a broken bone consistent with abuse, which makes the death capital murder.
The child was taken to the hospital and later died.
Both suspects are being held at the Harrison County Jail with no bond pending court hearings.
As of now, details are limited but we will update this story once information is available.
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