A man who regularly used physical punishment on his girlfriend’s 1-year-old daughter has been convicted after brutally beating the child for normal toddler behavior — and then preventing the mother from calling 911, leading to the child’s death.
The disturbing case unfolded in LaPlace, Louisiana, where 23-year-old Renard Robinson was charged with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend’s infant daughter. The toddler reportedly wouldn’t stop crying, which Robinson told investigators had caused him to lose control. Instead of comforting the child, Robinson admitted to physically assaulting her, then placing the unresponsive child back into bed.
Toddler’s Injuries Were Consistent With Extreme Abuse
According to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, emergency responders were called after a significant delay. When medical teams arrived, they found the 1-year-old suffering from traumatic injuries, including blunt force trauma to the head and other parts of the body. She was declared dead shortly after.
The mother, identified as Keaura Dillon, told authorities that Robinson would regularly discipline the child harshly, even for minor misbehavior common among toddlers. On the day of the fatal assault, she claimed she attempted to call 911 but was physically stopped by Robinson, who insisted they wait to see if the child “woke up.”
An autopsy later revealed extensive internal injuries, which medical examiners determined could not have been caused by a single accidental fall or isolated incident. The child had signs of both recent and older injuries, pointing to a pattern of prolonged abuse.
Mother Charged as Accessory
While Robinson was the main suspect in the killing, Dillon was also arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact to second-degree murder. Authorities stated that she knowingly delayed medical help for her daughter and had previously allowed Robinson to discipline her child, despite knowing about his violent behavior.
Sheriff Mike Tregre of St. John the Baptist Parish said in a public statement,
“This child never stood a chance. It’s devastating when the people who should protect our most vulnerable are the ones causing the harm.”
No Excuse for the Violence
In his confession, Robinson tried to minimize his role, telling officers that he “didn’t mean to hurt her” and claiming the incident was “an accident.” However, investigators rejected those explanations, citing the severity and scope of the toddler’s injuries. Witnesses also reported past instances of yelling, crying, and what sounded like physical confrontations from within the home.
Child Protective Services Was Not Previously Involved
According to local authorities, there were no previous records of intervention from Louisiana Child Protective Services. This raises concerns about the visibility of child abuse in domestic settings and the importance of early intervention by family members, neighbors, or community workers.
This tragedy is one of several high-profile cases nationwide highlighting fatal consequences when child abuse goes unreported. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Children’s Bureau, over 1,700 children died from abuse or neglect in 2021, with children under 3 representing a significant portion of these cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also tracks child abuse and neglect trends. Their Child Abuse Prevention page emphasizes the long-term physical, emotional, and psychological effects abuse has on children and society.
Trial and Sentencing
Robinson was tried and convicted in a Louisiana court. Prosecutors pushed for the harshest sentence possible, citing the deliberate cruelty and the defendant’s attempts to avoid responsibility. His sentencing hearing is scheduled in the coming weeks, with prosecutors likely seeking life imprisonment without parole under Louisiana’s laws for second-degree murder.
