LaPlace man arrested for attempted murder of 7-week-old child
Published 8:49 am Thursday, April 20, 2017
LAPLACE — A local man is behind bars, charged with trying to kill his 7-week-old child, police said.
Ronald Lathers Jr., 29, of LaPlace, was arrested Tuesday, booked for attempted first degree murder. He is being held in custody in lieu of a $500,000 bond.
Ronald Lathers Jr.
The case originated early on the evening of April 13 when St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 100 block of Montegut Avenue in LaPlace in reference to a couple arguing over child custody.
“Through investigation, deputies learned the male subject, identified as Lathers, wanted to take his 7-week-old child from the female,” a release from the Sheriff’s Office said. “A verbal argument escalated into a physical altercation, and Lathers began hitting the female with a closed fist as she was holding the infant.”
During the fight, the victim said Lathers also hit the infant in the head, according to authorities.
EMS arriving on scene administered aid to the female and infant, taking them to a local hospital for treatment.
The female victim was treated and released, and police said the infant remains in stable condition at the hospital.
Based on their investigation, detectives obtained a judicial warrant this week and arrested the suspect Tuesday.
