Melissa Gregory

mgregory@thetowntalk.com, (318) 792-1807

The teen parents of a 1-month-old have been charged in his death after the child died early Monday at an Alexandria hospital, according to police.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to a home in the 300 block of Cook Avenue around 2:30 a.m., before the unresponsive boy was rushed to a hospital by ambulance, reads the release.

Both detectives and crime scene personnel responded to the scene, and both the 16-year-old parents later were arrested. They were put into juvenile detention, both charged with second-degree murder, reads the release.

The question of whether either of the two could face charges as an adult will be determined by the Rapides Parish District Attorney's Office.

"Nothing further is available at this time," reads the release.

The release also urges people to know who to report suspected child abuse or neglect to in order to avoid "tragedies of this nature

"If you know of or suspect child abuse or neglect, please report to Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services Hotline at 1-855-452-5437 (toll free 24/7), or local law enforcement."

Editor's note: Initial information received from the Alexandria Police Department identified the victim as a girl.