A 7-year-old child died on January 10, 2023, from fentanyl toxicity, with the manner of death ruled a homicide. Daniel James Boudreaux Jr., 50, of Carencro, Louisiana, was arrested in March 2023 by Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office deputies at his home in the 400 block of Rue Des Etoiles and was initially booked with negligent homicide. A Lafayette Parish grand jury subsequently indicted Boudreaux on charges of second-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to juveniles. At the time of his arrest, he was also charged with illegal carrying of a weapon, felony drug possession, possession with intent to distribute, and other drug charges, suggesting the child was fatally exposed to fentanyl in an environment involving drug activity.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
The FOIA document (LA_23_808_FOIA.pdf) lists the cause of death as "Fentanyl Toxicity" for a 7-year-old child, which constitutes child drug ingestion/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)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of 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?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
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?
The KATC news article states: "Daniel James Boudreaux Jr., 50, was indicted on a charge of second-degree murder and one charge of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile by a grand jury." The Advocate article confirms: "Boudreaux was arrested in March by Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office deputies." He was both arrested and indicted for the child's death.
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?
The KATC news article states that Boudreaux, the man charged in the child's death, was also booked with "felony drug possession, possession with the intent to distribute and other drug charges." These charges strongly indicate substance involvement by the caregiver responsible for the child's death from fentanyl toxicity.
Notable Details
The KATC article notes that Boudreaux's charge was escalated from negligent homicide at the time of his initial arrest to second-degree murder upon grand jury indictment, indicating the grand jury found sufficient evidence of a more serious offense than originally charged. Additionally, the concurrent drug charges — including "felony drug possession, possession with the intent to distribute and other drug charges" — provide important context for how a 7-year-old child may have been fatally exposed to fentanyl, suggesting the child's death was connected to a drug distribution environment. If convicted on the murder charge, Boudreaux "faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence."
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