West Monroe man arrested; accused of sexually assaulting his child

Disclaimer: The following article discusses child sexual abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.

WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) — On September 8, 2024, officers of the West Monroe Police Department were called to Glenwood Regional Medical Center about an 8-year-old victim. The victim’s mother advised authorities that the victim had been wetting the bed and wetting their pants at school, acting out of the ordinary.

According to court documents, the victim began crying while being questioned by officials and advised that their father, 40-year-old Markus Montreal Byrd, allegedly made the victim perform sexual acts on him at his residence when the victim stayed with him on the weekends. Byrd was accused of molesting the victim during those incidents and he allegedly attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with the victim.

The victim was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeast Louisiana for a medical exam and laboratory testing. Officials learned that the victim tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection.

On September 16, 2024, Byrd was arrested and charged with Aggravated Crime Against Nature and First-Degree Rape. His bond was set at $100,000.