BATON ROUGE — A Baton Rouge father is accused of murdering his three-month-old son after investigators say the infant’s fatal injuries were caused by an intentional act, not an accident.
Jamarcus Deon Harper, 33, is charged with one count of first-degree murder.
On May 16, 2025, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies were called to Children’s Hospital in Baton Rouge for a “suspicious incident” involving a three-month-old baby with life-threatening injuries, according to an arrest warrant. Doctors told deputies the infant had a fractured skull and a brain bleed, and the injuries appeared to be the result of a “non-accidental fall.” The child died two days later, on May 18.
Investigators learned that around 8 p.m. that night, a 911 call was placed from 8422 E. Cypress Point Court in Baton Rouge for an unresponsive child. Multiple agencies responded, revived the baby’s heartbeat, and transported him to Children’s Hospital, where staff notified EBRSO.
Harper told deputies he was caring for his son at home while the child’s mother was at work. According to the warrant, Harper said he put the baby down for a nap in his bassinet around 11:30 a.m., waited about 10 minutes to ensure the baby was asleep, and then left the room for approximately five minutes. When he returned, he claimed he found the infant on the floor but said the child appeared uninjured.
Harper told investigators that around 7 p.m. he fed his son two four-ounce bottles. An hour later, he noticed the baby was spitting bubbles from his mouth and appeared to not be breathing. Harper said he first called the baby’s mother for guidance, and when she did not answer, he dialed 911.
Deputies also interviewed the baby’s mother, who said the child was “in good health and meeting all developmental milestones for his age.” She added that at the infant’s last doctor’s visit, he was healthy and uninjured. The mother told deputies Harper called her around noon to say the baby had fallen but appeared fine, with no visible bruising. She said she called several more times during the day before receiving an evening call urging her to come home quickly because the baby was not doing well.
An autopsy determined the head injury was not caused by an accidental fall but rather by “intentional act(s),” contradicting Harper’s account, according to the warrant.
Investigators obtained a warrant for Harper’s arrest, but he had been in Texas for several months. He was returned to East Baton Rouge Parish on Saturday, August 23, and booked on one count of first-degree murder.
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