Lee County man pleads guilty to first-degree murder in 2022 death of 5-year-old boy, ASP says

LEE COUNTY, Ark. – Arkansas State Police said a Lee County man has pleaded guilty after a boy’s body was found under the floor of a home in east Arkansas in 2022.

ASP officials said in a Thursday night release that 34-year-old Nathan Bridges pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and first-degree battery in the death of a 5-year-old Blu Rolland in Lee County.

According to the release, Bridges was sentenced to 60 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

On Dec. 16, 2022, police said the body of the 5-year-old was found under the floor of his family’s home. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office then requested assistance from ASP’s Criminal Investigation Division.

Authorities said they also investigated injuries suffered by a 6-year-old who lived in the home.

Officials with the ASP said they later arrested Bridges and 30-year-old Ashley Rolland, the mother of the children.

Rolland is facing multiple charges, including capital murder, permitting child abuse, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, endangering the welfare of a minor and battery.

Authorities said her case is still awaiting trial in Lee County.

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