Twyena Thomas, 27, was booked on a count of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Chase Thomas, 2,
Police in Louisiana have arrested the mother of an ‘extremely malnourished’ two-year-old boy who was found dead.
Kenner police initially charged Twyena Thomas, 27, with cruelty to a juvenile.
But an autopsy revealed the toddler, who was called Chase, died due to ‘blunt trauma and abuse’.
The toddler’s arms and legs were covered with bruises. Many of the marks suggested that he had been tied up at some point.
Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office has classified the boy’s death as a homicide and Thomas has now been charged with second degree murder.
‘The child had multiple marks and bruising,’ said Lt. Brian McGregor, spokesman for the Kenner Police Department. ‘There’s other things that we saw that lead us to believe there was abuse and neglect. ‘
Officers were called to Thomas’ home after receiving reports of a two-year-old having ‘difficulty breathing,’ authorities said.
By the time the emergency services had arrived, the boy was unresponsive and cold to the touch.
Paramedics tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
According to Nola.com, authorities noted he seemed ‘extremely malnourished’ and had bruising around both eyes.
Officers also witnessed bruising along the entire length of the boy’s arms and legs.
The boy had ‘ligature marks’ on his left forearm which led investigators to believe the little boy may have been tied up at some point.
The youngster also had several scratches and marks on his back and buttocks.
Thomas admitted that she was the only one who looked after the boy and that she had hit him several times with a slipper as punishment.
She also told officers that she used a cloth-like material to restrain him when he was misbehaving.
Three other children, aged one, four and nine were also taken into care. Thomas is currently pregnant.