Man charged is the mother's boyfriend
A 34-year-old man who police say has a criminal history that includes arrests for murder, domestic violence and child abuse has been charged with murder in the death this week of a 3-year-old Marrero boy.
Desmond Brown died from strangulation and/or suffocation. The child's body was found shortly before noon Wednesday at the Rue Racine home of his mother, 34-year-old Lakeshia Brown.
Gasoline had been poured inside the house and the child was found dead on a sofa in the residence.
Brown's boyfriend, Timothy Reed, was taken into custody Thursday evening at a motel along the I-10 Service Road in New Orleans East. He reportedly was found hiding in a bathroom.
The victim's mother told investigators she last saw her son alive on Tuesday when Reed picked up the boy to take him to Mardi Gras parades.
The JPSO alleges that Reed had planned to set fire to the house while the child and his mother were inside.
Reed has been charged with one count each of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder and attempted aggravated arson.
Photo: Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
