An Arkansas couple, Deja Rollins, 28, and Justin Rollins, 30, pleaded guilty to murder after their children, ages 3 and 2, died from severe malnutrition and abuse. The 2-year-old, furthermore, suffered from severe heat exhaustion as he was left alongside their three siblings inside a hot car while the Rollins couple rushed their three-year-old to a local hospital to receive medical treatment over the abuse he had endured.
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According to a
statement issued by Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones, Deja and Justin Rollins were sentenced to 70 years in prison for the deaths of their two children and the abuse sustained by a third.The City of Little Rock Public Relations published a public notice back in July 9, 2024, detailing the events. On July 7, 2024, officers arrived at the Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH). The Jacksonville Police Department had issued an abuse report on both Deja and Justin Rollins.
The couple had arrived at ACH to get "urgent medical treatment" for their three-year-old child. As per Jones, the child was suffering from severe malnutrition.
While they rushed their child to the hospital, they also left their other three children outside in the parking lot. They were inside a hot car.
Hot Car
Police found the children, ages 2, 4, 7, and 10, inside. They managed to rescue them, but, unfortunately, the youngest child, Jay'Dien, died the following day. The child's death was caused malnutrition and heat exhaustion. The three-year-old died as well. Furthermore, police found that the four-year-old had suffered injuries that were consistent with ongoing abuse, as per KATV.
As a result, police arrested Deja and Justin Rollins. Less than a year later, they both pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and one count of first-degree domestic battery. As per PEOPLE, police also found a malnourished dog at the Rollins residence. They were charged with animal cruelty, but the charge was dropped as part of the plea deal.
"This case is one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking our office has ever encountered," Prosecutor Will Jones wrote. "Protecting children is the top priority of this office. There is no greater responsibility, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that those who harm a child are held fully accountable."
