A disturbing police report from Louisiana revealed that cousins, ages 10 and 12, beat a girl, age 3, to death on Feb. 12.
The guardians, Terica Scott and Dineshia Yates, both 26, reportedly left eight children, between 11 months and 12 years old, alone at home while they gambled at a casino in Baton Rouge.
Officials reported that Blessing Buckles died from blows to the head after Scott’s 10-year-old son and 12-year-old nephew repeatedly struck the child.
The disturbing report was first brought to light by WAFB news.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office report reveals that officers responded to a call placed by a “juvenile male.” The call concerned Blessing, who was reportedly unconscious at Scott’s home on O’Neal Lane.
Deputies reported arriving at the home at about 3:45 p.m. Deputies administered aid to Blessing until paramedics arrived. She was taken to a local hospital but died from her injuries two days later.
Medical officials reported Blessing died of a “brain bleed,” likely caused by “blunt force trauma.”
Four suspects have been taken into custody for their alleged involvement in a 3-year-old child’s death
— Bon Jour (@BlackinMexico) February 19, 2024
a 10-year-old boy
a 12-year-old boy
Terica Scott, 26; the mother and aunt of the juvenile suspects
Dineshia Yates, 26; the mother of 3-year-old Blessinghttps://t.co/wTkTRcSllb pic.twitter.com/MIAR8MZbSj
The children told police their guardians “regularly left all eight children home alone to go gambling.”
Terica Scott told police she was aware her nephew had a history of violent engagement with other children.
The police report also noted that Dineshia Yates, Blessing’s biological mother, said she had observed bruises on the children after spending time with the boy and that they complained of altercations, but she “ignored her children’s pleas for help.”
Terica and Dineshia reportedly left the children unsupervised for several hours on Feb. 12. Police have charged both with principal to simple battery and principal to second-degree murder. Both individuals have criminal records.
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux reported on the arrests, saying, “A case like this is devastating. “My heart breaks for this child lost too soon, and I pray for the others involved. Please call law enforcement immediately if you are ever aware of abuse, neglect, or desertion of children.”
