Louisiana Babysitter Arrested After Infant Dies in Car Seat

St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office arrested and charged a 59-year-old woman from Opelousas, Louisiana, for negligent homicide over the weekend.

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According to KLFY, on Sunday, October 27th, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office responded to a call about an unresponsive infant on Tulip Drive.

The Sheriff's Office released a statement detailing what the deputies found at the scene on their Facebook page. According to their statement, when they arrived, EMS was performing CPR on the infant, who was nonresponsive.

The infant was dropped off with the babysitter around 4:45 in the morning in their car seat. The child was left in the car seat unattended for 2 hours. It was around 6:50 when Sarah Sonnier noticed that the child was 'slumped and unresponsive'.

She has been charged with Negligent Homicide based on the Sherrif's office investigation.

At this time, specifics regarding the cause of death have not been released.

Ketara Lee shared a post asking for the community's support in getting 'Justice For DJ':

"Hi my name is Devante Amere’ Lemon Jr. I am a victim of negligence. On October 27, 2024 I was dropped off at the daycare like any other morning. NOTHING seemed to be off. I was in a great mood playing with my parents the morning of. I didn’t put up a fight to put my PJs on. Neither Did I put up a fight to get in the car seat! As we packed up and got into the car, I’m drinking my bottle sitting and waiting patiently. When we arrived to the daycare, my mom called the Director to inform her that we were outside as we got out of the car. I looked in my mother’s eyes. My mom dropped me off and left for work. After this point, everything is a blur to my parents . I need yawls help for my parents get justice for me. I was only 13 months old. I didn’t deserve this ! I need y’all to go and tag the Sheriff Department of Opelousas , Louisiana so they can let my name be heard in my story be told neglect it’s never OK ! My parents need answers, please share and tag the sheriff’s department of Opelousas, La"

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