Father Charged in Death of 14-Month-Old
class=”alignleft size-full wp-image-40161″ src=”http://klax-tv.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/matthew_mclaughlin-mug.jpg” alt=”matthew_mclaughlin-mug” width=”167″ height=”225″ />Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives working in conjunction with La. Department of Children and Family Services, Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office and Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office have arrested a Natchitoches man in connection with the death of his 14 month old daughter according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.
On Thursday evening August 28th, 2014 at approximately 9:49pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division and La. Department of Children and Family Services responded to the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Natchitoches, La. after they were notified of a 14 month old female child being treated for what appeared to be suspicious injuries after being brought to the emergency room by parents.
The child was treated at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and later that night airlifted to University Health Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Shreveport, La., according to Sheriff Jones.
On Sunday August 31st at approximately 5:30pm, doctors in the Pediactric Intensive Care Unit notified the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office that 14 month old -Anna Marie McLaughlin had died.
An autopsy performed on the child indicated injuries are believed to be consistent with “Shaken Baby Syndrome” causing traumatic brain injury according to the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office.
Detectives then focused the investigation and began interviewing the parents of the child according to Chief Investigator Greg Dunn.
Detectives obtained sufficient evidence and probable cause to obtain a criminal arrest warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge on the father of the child identified as Matthew Blake McLaughlin, of Natchitoches, La.
Matthew Blake McLaughlin, 25 of 177 Frontier Avenue, Natchitoches, La. was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center on Thursday evening at approximately 10:15pm charged with 1-count of Second Degree Murder.
No bond has been set.
Chief Dunn stated that the investigation is currently ongoing.
Detectives assigned and involved in the investigation were: Jared Kilpatrick, Darrel Winder, and Carey Etheredge.
Funeral Services for Anna Marie McLaughlin were held at 10:00am on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Winnfield, La. Interment was at Cedar Grove cemetery near Fort Jesup, La.
Sheriff Jones extends his thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Anna McLaughlin.
