Advertisement JPSO: Teen dies after being beaten over bad grades; parents arrested Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A 14-year-old boy died Wednesday after he was severely beaten over bad grades by his parents, officials said.The boy’s parents, Furnell and Terri Daniel, were rebooked on a count of second-degree murder in the death. The two were initially booked on charges of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.Officers were called to the scene Saturday on Clifford Court in Waggaman on a call that a boy, identified as Jalen Daniel, fell in the bathtub and hit his head. The boy’s father, Furnell Daniel, was identified as the caller. The boy was breathing but not conscious when medical personnel arrived at the scene, according to a news release from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.Jalen was taken to the Ochsner Main Campus Hospital on Jefferson Highway, where Furnell Daniel told investigators that he paddled the boy for having poor grades. He told authorities that he thought the boy complaining of serious pain was a ruse to avoid discipline.“After speaking to the father, patrol officers were told by ER staff of the severity of the injuries and that the injuries were consistent with abuse, not a fall,” Col. John Fortunato, with the JPSO, said. Fortunato said the boy’s injuries consisted of numerous bruises, contusions, lacerations and abrasions on the legs, arms, torso and also to the head.It was later discovered that there was a splinter of wood inside a wound above the victim's right eye, officials said. Investigators learned that the victim, along with his 15-year-old brother, “would often get paddled by their father due to poor grades.” “The victim was extremely scared of his father and ran when the father attempted to administer this discipline,” the news release said. “During the incident, Furnell Daniel struck the victim repeatedly with the ‘paddle,’ causing him to fall numerous (times); all the while, being continuously struck with the ‘paddle.’”The victim’s stepmother, Terri Daniels, was at work at the time of the incident, officials said.When she learned that Jalen was complaining of headaches and other injuries, she and Furnell Daniel went to a store to buy headache medicine and Epson salts to bath the victim, according to the release.Jalen collapsed while he was bathing and could not stand under his own power, JPSO said.“Furnell and Terri Daniel removed the victim from the tub and put him in his bed, ignoring the obvious need for medical attention,” the release said.The following morning, the victim began “profusely sweating, vomiting and urinated on himself.” Authorities said the parents moved Jalen to the sofa in the living room.Jalen’s condition worsened, according to the release.“Around 9 a.m., the victim's condition again deteriorated and he began speaking incoherently, breathing fast and heavy,” JPSO said. “Furnell Daniel called Terri Daniel, who had gone to work around 8 a.m. He advised her what was occurring and then called 911 after the victim became unresponsive.”