HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO A CHILD..? — Ja’Derrius Minnieweather’s Mother Makes Heartbreaking Statement As Teen’s B0dy Still Has Not Been Found
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Baton Rouge police have made an arrest in connection with the disappearance and beating death of a missing teenager.
Maurice Parms, 51, has been charged with first-degree murder in the case of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Authorities stated evidence suggests that the teen was beaten to death and his body was disposed of after the attack.
Police said Minnieweather was last seen June 5. His disappearance prompted a multi-agency search effort, drawing widespread attention and assistance from organizations including the United Cajun Navy.
Authorities have not recovered Minnieweather’s body. However, investigators said evidence gathered through executed search warrants led to Parms’ arrest and the charge.
Police Chief TJ Morse said the investigation remains active and that details released to the public are limited at this time.
When asked about a possible motive, Morse said all the evidence BRPD has collected leads to a violent encounter that occurred between Parms and Minnieweather, which led to the teenager’s death.
Parms was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
He was previously arrested on June 10 on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation of a minor involving a 16-year-old girl. During the investigation into Minnieweather’s disappearance, police said they found messages exchanged between Parms and the girl, as well as Cash App payments allegedly sent by Parms.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Baton Rouge Police Department.
