JACKSONVILLE, Ark. — Authorities in Jacksonville have arrested a couple in connection to the death of a 2-year-old child on Sunday, July 7.
According to reports from authorities, the 2-year-old died after being left unattended inside a vehicle with four other children who were also unattended.
Officers said that the vehicle was parked outside of Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH), where a 3-year-old was receiving urgent medical treatment — the child’s parents, Justin and Deja Rollins, were arrested after the incident.
As officials investigated they were informed by ACH security that the couple had four other children, ages 2, 4, 7, and 10, that were inside of a hot vehicle unattended.
According to reports, the couple was not cooperative when asked to provide the location of the other children.
The children were later found in a vehicle in the parking lot of Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
ACH security removed the children from the vehicle and took them inside the hospital to receive treatment as they appeared to be suffering from heat exhaustion. A day later, the 2-year-old child died.
Additionally, a search of the couple's residence revealed a severely neglected dog, who was seized by Jacksonville Animal Services.
During an investigation, detectives obtained an affidavit for Capital Murder for Justin and Deja Rollins. The two were taken into custody and now face multiple charges, including:
- 5 counts of first-degree domestic battery
- 5 counts of neglect of a vulnerable person
- 5 counts of endangering the welfare of a minor
- one count of animal cruelty
- one count of obstructing government operations
This investigation is ongoing. Jacksonville police are working with the Little Rock Police Department on this investigation. We will update this article as more information is released.
