A 21-year old Mandeville man is under arrest and now facing an additional charge of first degree murder after his infant son died at Northshore hospital.
Brian Young is already facing a myriad of charges of abuse on the 5-month old.
Young reportedly has admitted to the abuse.
Word of the abuse came to light initially on Thursday when the infant's mother called 911 as her child had stopped breathing.
She told authorities the Young had called her at work to tell her as much.
Arriving Sheriff’s Deputies and EMS found the child and transported the infant to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Doctors discovered the infant had non-accidental injuries consistent with child abuse.
Young admitted to the abuse under interrogation.
Young reportedly threw the infant a number of times onto the floor and into a child swing, where the child struck his head on the swing’s metal bar.
Young was taken into custody this morning and booked into the St. Tammany Parish jail on a count of Second Degree Cruelty to Juveniles (felony).
Young was also booked on one count each of Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule One narcotics, a disdemeanor and possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances in the Presence of a Minor, also a misdemeanor after narcotics were located inside the residence.
Upon word of the infants death, Young was slapped with the additional charge.
“This was an innocent and helpless baby,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “The idea that his precious life was taken by his own father is incomprehensible. I applaud our deputies and detectives who worked this very sad case.”
It is not known if Young has retained council to answer the charges.
There is no word on when his arraignment will be held.