A six-week-old female infant was found not breathing at a Richwood, Louisiana residence on May 10, 2023, after her mother, Shaneka Edwards, called 911. The infant was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Medical examination revealed severe second-degree burns on both of the infant's legs that appeared to be several days old, and bloody diapers were found in the home. Both parents, Edwards (28) and Trent Hebert (29), gave contradictory and shifting accounts of the events — each initially claimed responsibility for hot noodles spilling on the baby, and Hebert later changed his story to say the burns occurred during bathing after officers challenged the consistency of the burn patterns. Edwards admitted she did not seek medical treatment for the burns out of fear that child protective services would take the child. Edwards also disclosed the infant had experienced breathing issues since birth, with a similar breathing episode approximately two weeks prior to her death. Both parents were arrested and charged with negligent homicide.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The KNOE article states Edwards claimed she "placed a bowl of hot noodles on the arm of the couch and left the infant on the couch while she went to use the bathroom." Even taking the account at face value, leaving a six-week-old infant unattended on a couch next to a bowl of hot liquid constitutes inappropriate supervision. The News Star article similarly reports Edwards "left the baby on the cushion of the couch while she went into the other room to use the bathroom." While the full truthfulness of these accounts is in question, the described scenario itself reflects inappropriate supervision.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The infant had severe second-degree burns on both legs. Both parents gave contradictory and changing explanations for the burns. The KNOE article states: "When officers told him the burns did not appear to be consistent with burns from splashing water, he said the burns happened while he was bathing the infant." The inconsistency of the accounts and the officers' observation that the burns were inconsistent with the stated mechanisms strongly imply the burns were inflicted rather than accidental.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Both articles describe the infant having second-degree burns on both legs that were "several days old" and were not treated by a doctor. The KNOE article states: "Edwards said she did not get the baby seen by a doctor for fear that child protective services would take the child." The News Star article similarly states: "Edwards said she was afraid if she took the baby to the hospital for treatment, child protective services would take the baby." The deliberate avoidance of medical care for severe burns constitutes medical neglect.
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The KNOE article identifies Hebert as "the father of the infant." Both articles report he was arrested for negligent homicide in connection with the infant's death. He was present at the home, gave shifting accounts about the burns, and was implicated in the events leading to the death.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Both articles identify Edwards as the infant's mother. The KNOE article refers to "the infant's mother, Edwards" and she was arrested for negligent homicide. She admitted to failing to seek medical treatment for the infant's burns and was present when the infant stopped breathing.
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Both articles state that Trent Hebert and Shaneka Edwards were arrested and charged with negligent homicide. The KNOE article states: "Both Hebert and Edwards were arrested on the charge of negligent homicide and transported to Ouachita Correctional Center." The News Star article adds that "Bond for Hebert and Edwards is set at $100,000."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The News Star article contains a detail not in the KNOE article: "Edwards told authorities that the infant has had breathing issues since her birth and a similar incident occurred approximately two weeks ago." This indicates the infant had a prior breathing episode two weeks before her death, which was apparently not medically investigated. Additionally, both parents gave contradictory and shifting accounts of the events — each initially blaming themselves for the hot noodle incident, then Hebert changed his story to say the burns occurred during bathing after officers told him the burns were inconsistent with splashing water. The KNOE article also notes that officers found "bloody diapers in the living room of the home," the significance of which is not explained in either article but suggests additional concerning conditions.
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