‘I think we all failed that kid,’ sheriff says after parents arrested in malnourished 12-year-old’s death
Jeff Davis Parish, LA (KPLC) - The parents of a child who died in October 2022 have been arrested on murder charges in connection with his death.
“I mean, it’s a horrendous crime that went on for years, and I think we all failed that kid,” Jeff Davis Sheriff Ivy Woods said.
Chief Deputy Chris Ivey, with the Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office, said in a news release that an autopsy was performed on Oct. 24, 2022, after 12-year-old Brogan Duhon died at a children’s hospital in Baton Rouge. The report, turned over to the Jeff Davis coroner on Jan. 10, 2023, indicated the cause of death as complications from malnutrition, and the manner of death deemed a homicide, Ivey said.
Both parents, Jennifer Ann Duhon, 40, and Adam Duhon, 40, were arrested Feb. 16, 2023, on charges of second-degree murder.
Brogan died on Oct. 17, 2022, at a hospital in Baton Rouge. Hospital records indicated he was 42 inches tall and weighed 28 pounds at the time of death, Ivey said.The Jeff Davis Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Department of Family and Services (DCFS) on October 19, 2022, of an investigation into his death, Ivey said. A criminal investigation was opened on October 20 - deputies began interviewing neighbors and family members and obtaining medical records.
According to the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, the child entered DCFS custody in September of 2010 and was adopted by the Duhon family in February of 2012, which is when their oversight ended.
However, the child was the subject of a “substantiated child welfare investigation” in August of 2015. Officials say the allegation of abuse was validated and the family received services until March of 2016.
Brogan was not enrolled in Cameron or Jeff Davis Parish school districts at the time of his death, as authorities said he was homeschooled.
No other neglect or abuse was reported in Cameron or Jeff Davis parishes where the family lived, however his death came just two months after Jeff Davis deputies preformed a welfare check after they received a call.
Woods said this is a prime example of when you see something you should say something.
“They don’t want to cause any conflict with neighbors, you know, they just want to be left alone,” Woods said. “But, in these circumstances with a small child, I mean you need to say something.”
Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ivey at the Sheriff’s Office at (337) 821-2100.