FIRST DEGREE MURDER OF A CHILD

FIRST DEGREE MURDER OF A CHILD
TONIKA M. WILLOUGHBY

LABADIEVILLE – Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reports the arrest of Tonika M. Willoughby, 28, of 2968 Highway 1, Apartment 1, Labadieville, La., on charges accusing her of the first-degree murder of her 1-year old son.

On Monday, November 9, 2020, deputies were dispatched to the aforementioned address due to an unresponsive child. Acadian Ambulance was also dispatched and transported the child to Thibodaux Regional Hospital where the child was pronounced deceased about an hour after arrival.

An autopsy was conducted at the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Office. A preliminary report indicates that child neglect and abuse was a direct result of the infant’s death.

Detectives immediately initiated an investigation and on Tuesday conducted an interview with Tonika M. Willoughby.

Based on the medical findings and the interview of Willoughby, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for the alleged crime.

Tonika M. Willoughby was arrested at the Detective’s Bureau on Tuesday afternoon and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility on a charge of:

*First Degree Murder

Tonika M. Willoughby was incarcerated pending a court appearance.

Since the incident, Department of Child and Family Services removed the two remaining children of Willoughby’s and relocated them to the care of other individuals.

The investigation is ongoing.

For additional information concerning this News Release, contact Sheriff Leland Falcon or Public Information Officer, Lonny Cavalier at 985-369-7281.