Couple charged with murder of 2-year-old son who was left in hot car, endangering all five young children

Little Rock, Arkansas. — An Arkansas couple has been charged with felony crimes after one of their young children, who was left in a hot car, apparently died of heat exhaustion, authorities said.

Prosecutors in Little Rock filed murder charges against Deja and Justin Rollins on Monday after their 2-year-old son died. They have pleaded not guilty.

Little Rock police initially responded to a report of child abuse Sunday afternoon at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where the couple’s 3-year-old child was receiving urgent medical treatment, reports KTHV, a CBS Little Rock affiliate. The report of child abuse came from police in Jacksonville, Arkansas, according to the Little Rock City Council. The couple lives in Jacksonville.

Little Rock officials said hospital security received a call from Jacksonville police that the couple had four other children, ages 2, 4, 7 and 10, in a vehicle in the parking lot. The children were taken to the hospital for treatment and the 2-year-old died the next day, Little Rock police said.

In addition to the murder charge, Deja and Justin Rollins are also accused of domestic violence, neglect and endangerment of all five of their children, as well as animal cruelty and obstruction, according to KTHV. Investigators found a malnourished dog at the Rollins’ home in Jacksonville, northeast of Little Rock, KTHV added.

No attorney for the couple was listed in online court records. The county’s public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The couple was being held without bail on Tuesday. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty.