Step-mom charged
Father changes story on account of baby's death
By SHARON KERR Staff writer

Newsboy photo/Sharon Kerr CRYSTAL DESORMEAUX, center, is escorted into the Jasper County Jail by Jasper County Sheriff's Lts.Todd Y'Barbo and Curtis Frame. Desormeaux was arrested Thursday, Feb. 21 and charged with capital murder in the death of Triston Dobbins.

In a surprising twist, Jasper County Sheriff's deputies arrested Crystal Desormeaux, 21, Thursday morning, Feb. 21, at a relative's house in Vidor and charged her with capital murder. She is being held on no bond at the Jasper County jail.

Sheriff Ronnie McBride said that Lts. Curtis Frame and Todd Y'Barbo arrested Crystal Desormeaux based on new evidence in the case involving the death of 21-month-old Triston Dobbins, her step-child.

McBride declined to say what the new evidence is that led to the arrest of Crystal Desormeaux on murder charges.

The Jasper Newsboy obtained a copy of the warrant for Crystal Desormeaux, which shows that Leo Desormeaux changed his account of the story he told police Wednesday, Feb. 20.

According to the arrest warrant, Desormeaux informed police that "on the night of Dec. 9, 2007 he was at home with the children when his wife Crystal came home. Mr. Desormeaux advised that his son Triston was in the bathtub when Crystal arrived and his older son Blake was in his room which adjoins the bathroom and that his daughter was in the living room.

Newsboy photo/Charles Kerr CRYSTAL DESORMEAUX is led into custody after being arrested Thursday, Feb. 21.

"Mr. Desormeaux advised that when Crystal came in he went to the master bedroom to smoke a cigarette, while she was watching the children. Mr. Desormeaux advised that he heard loud noises and banging coming from the bathroom and that the noises sounded unusual. Mr. Desormeaux advised that he went to the bathroom to see what was wrong when he found Crystal walking out of the room," the report states.

"Mr. Desormeaux found the bathroom door partially closed so he went inside. Mr. Desormeaux advised that he found Triston in the bathtub and that he was whining and reaching out for him. Mr. Desormeaux advised that he immediately knew that something was not right with Triston and took him out of the bathtub and went into the living room. Mr. Desormeaux advised that he dried Triston off and then put a diaper on him.

"Mr. Desormeaux then said at this point Triston began having difficulty breathing while continuing to whine. Mr. Desormeaux described Triston as being lethargic and that he began gasping for breath. Mr. Desormeaux said he noticed Triston's stomach swell up and that then Triston stopped breathing. Mr. Desormeaux advised that he blew air into Triston's mouth but could not revive him. Mr. Desormeaux then advised that after he realized Triston had died he took him to his bedroom where he sat and held him."

According to the warrant, Leo Desormeaux decided "to tell the truth after thinking about things and talking to family."

Leo Desormeaux IV, 26, of Evadale is still charged with capital murder in the death of his son and has been in Jasper County Jail for more than two months.

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

According to earlier reports, Leo Desormeaux put the dead child to bed Sunday night, and authorities were not notified until the next morning of the death.

Leo 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.

The couple was arrested Dec. 14 and charged with tampering with or fabricating evidence, and the charges against Leo Desormeaux were later raised to capital murder.

In a December interview, McBride told The Jasper Newsboy, "We were suspicious right off the bat (because of) conflicting stories between the couple."