Hannah Barker, a 22-year-old resident of Louisiana, was arrested on July 25th for her role in the death of her six-month-old son. Another suspect, Felicia Marie-Nicole Smith, has also been arrested on first-degree murder charges in relation to this case.

Initially, Barker called the authorities and claimed her son had been kidnapped on July 17. When officers arrived on scene, the suspect alleged that two people had come knocking at her door. When she opened it, the vandals sprayed mace or some other chemical substance into her face. She fled the attackers without her son. When she returned later, her son was missing.

Responders immediately began searching the area for the six-month-old. Authorities from the Louisiana State Police Department, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Northwestern State University Police department all assisted with the search efforts. While the search was underway, a fire was reported near Breda Avenue. Amongst the rubble and near the railroad tracks, the six-month-old’s body was found with sever burns.

Little Levi Ellerbe was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but he sadly never recovered from the incident. The Shreveport Hospital pronounced Levi’s death that evening. Police reports confirm that the infant had obvious and severe burns all over his body.

Investigators have made two arrests in connection with the infant’s death, and they have confirmed that additional arrests regarding the case may be pending in the future. Further details about the investigation remain under wraps as authorities continue to piece together what happened that tragic night.