Evadale dad faces capital murder
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Leo Desormeaux

Leo Desormeaux IV, 26, of Evadale was charged Friday with capital murder in the death of his son, 21-month-old Triston Dobbins.

Leo Desormeaux shared custody with the child's biological mother, Ami Dobbins of Lumberton, who was not present when the child died Sunday night, Dec. 9.

JCSO dispatcher Laura Moore did not receive the call reporting the toddler's death until Monday morning, Dec. 10.

According to Lt. Todd Y'Barbo's press release, "Deputies responded to a residence on County Road 716 commonly known as Reece Road, where they were met by a family member of the child's father, Leo Desormeaux."

Upon entering the residence, deputies found the child dead in his bed. Early internet news reports misinterpreted that statement and issued sensationalized reports that sounded as if the man was found sleeping in bed with the dead infant, but the child was placed and left in his own bed when Desormeaux realized the child was dead.

Desormeaux initially told deputies the child fell in the tub Sunday night, and that he was so traumatized that he did not call 911 or law enforcement and report it because he was scared and upset.

Crystal Desormeaux

Desormeaux and his wife, Crystal Desormeaux, 21, of Evadale were both first arrested for tampering with or fabricating evidence. After consulting with Jasper County District Attorney Steve Hollis, the charge against Leo Desormeaux was raised to capital murder, according to Jasper County Sheriff Ronnie McBride.

"The preliminary report from the Jefferson County medical office's pathologist indicated the baby could very well have died from being shaken violently," McBride said, "But the final autopsy reports are still pending."

As of Monday, Leo and Crystal Desormeaux were still in jail facing a $60,000 bond each for tampering with evidence, and no bond on Leo Desormeaux for capital murder.

Crystal and Leo Desormeaux's two older children, a son, 5, and daughter, 2, were removed and are in the custody of Child Protective Services. CPS spokeswoman Shari Pulliam said the couple will not be allowed unsupervised visits with the children.

McBride said, "We were suspicious right off the bat (because of) conflicting stories between the couple."

State Trooper Danny Young was called in to assist with the investigation.

McBride said the deputies observed a cut on the child's lips and bruises on the face. Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Joe Wilkinson said results from the autopsy performed last week are still pending.

"The deputies did a thorough job. They took photos and documented everything," McBride said.

"One of the things that upset the officers the most was when they saw stockings hung for the other children, and they asked why the baby didn't have one," McBride said. "They said that they just hadn't gotten around to hanging his or the dog's yet."