Overview
- Detectives say Bernard JR Fleander, 26, was charged with first-degree murder after he brought an unresponsive 3-year-old to Assumption Community Hospital on Thursday, Aug. 13, and the child died shortly after arrival.
- The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office reported investigators observed significant injuries across the child’s body and a forensic autopsy ruled the manner of death a homicide.
- Local reporting, citing deputies, says the toddler suffered internal bleeding and massive head trauma and that the beating allegedly took place during potty training.
- Authorities executed a search warrant at Fleander’s home on the 6700 block of Highway 308, interviewed witnesses who were inside the residence, obtained an arrest warrant, and booked Fleander into the detention center on the murder charge and a separate failure-to-appear/simple battery matter.
- The investigation is ongoing, the APSO says no additional arrests are expected, and public updates are likely after the bond hearing and further forensic and investigative steps are completed.