Capital Murder Charges Filed
An Arkansas couple, Deja and Justin Rollins, have been charged with capital murder after their 2-year-old child died from apparent heat exhaustion after being left in a hot vehicle. Prosecutors in Little Rock filed the charges on Monday following the tragic incident. The couple has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Incident at Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Police were called to Arkansas Children’s Hospital on Sunday afternoon in response to a child abuse report. One of the Rollins’ children was receiving urgent medical treatment at the time. Hospital security discovered that the couple had four other children, aged 2, 4, 7, and 10, inside a vehicle in the parking lot. The children were brought inside for treatment, but the 2-year-old died the next day.
Additional Charges
In addition to the murder charges, Deja and Justin Rollins each face multiple other charges including domestic battery, neglect, child endangerment, animal cruelty, and obstruction. Investigators found a malnourished dog at the Rollins’ residence in Jacksonville, located just northeast of Little Rock.
Legal Proceedings
The couple is being held without bond as of Tuesday. Online court records did not list an attorney for them, and the county public defender’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will seek the death penalty in this case.
