An Arkansas couple, Deja and Justin Rollins, are facing capital murder charges following the tragic death of one of their four young children left in a hot vehicle. The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by prosecutors in Little Rock. The incident came to light when police responded to a child abuse report at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where one of the children was receiving medical attention. Employees discovered the couple’s other four children, ages 2, 4, 7, and 10, inside a vehicle in the hospital parking lot. The kids were brought in for treatment, but sadly, the 2-year-old passed away due to apparent heat exhaustion the next day.
In addition to the capital murder charges, Deja and Justin Rollins are also facing charges of domestic battery, neglect, child endangerment, animal cruelty, and obstruction. Investigators found a malnourished dog at the couple’s residence in Jacksonville, northeast of Little Rock. The Rollins couple, as per online court records, have not listed an attorney to represent them. The county public defender has not responded to requests for comment yet.
The couple is currently being held without bond. Prosecutors have not disclosed whether they plan to pursue the death penalty in this case.