Parents charged after 2-year-old dies from being left in hot car with three other kids

LITTLE ROCK, AR (LOOTPRESS) – The Little Rock Police Department has charged Justin and Deja Rollins with Capital Murder in the death of their 2-year-old son, Jay’Dien Rollins.

The child was found inside a vehicle at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH).

According to the Jacksonville Police Department, on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at 12:42 PM, Jacksonville Police responded to a child abuse and neglect case involving a 3-year-old who was taken to ACH for urgent medical treatment.

Upon arrival, ACH security informed officers they had received a call from Jacksonville Police at 12:30 PM about four children in a vehicle in the parking lot.

The children, suffering from heat exhaustion, were removed by security and taken inside for treatment.

The child’s parents, Justin and Deja Rollins, were arrested shortly afterward.

During the investigation, officers discovered that the couple had four other children, aged 2, 4, 7, and 10.

Initially, the parents did not cooperate with police in revealing the children’s location. The children were later found in a vehicle parked at the hospital.

Additionally, a malnourished dog was found at the Rollins’ residence and was seized by Jacksonville Animal Services.

On July 8, 2024, Jay’Dien Rollins, the 2-year-old, succumbed to his injuries. Homicide detectives with the LRPD began an investigation and obtained an affidavit for Capital Murder charges against Justin and Deja Rollins.

The couple was also charged with 1st Degree Child Endangerment for the surviving children.

The Pulaski County Coroner transported Jay’Dien’s body to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy, and next of kin was notified.

Justin and Deja Rollins now face multiple charges, including:

5 counts of Domestic Battery 1st Degree

5 counts of Neglect of a Vulnerable Person

5 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor

1 count of Animal Cruelty

1 count of Obstructing Government Operations

The investigation remains ongoing.