Pineville, LA (April 8, 2024) — Tragedy struck a Pineville family as authorities were alerted to a distressing case of suspected child abuse. On Saturday, April 6, 2024, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO) received a call from emergency staff at a local hospital concerning an infant admitted with alarming signs of extensive bruising and respiratory distress.
Patrol Deputies responded to the ER to initiate the initial report, while Sheriff’s Detectives and the Crime Scene Unit launched a thorough investigation into the distressing circumstances. Medical examinations revealed severe injuries to the infant’s torso, head, and lower extremities, suggestive of physical abuse, with bleeding on the brain posing life-threatening risks. Consequently, the infant was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in New Orleans for urgent medical attention.
Shockingly, detectives uncovered a grim pattern of alleged abuse perpetrated by the infant’s father, Rodney Dale Guillotte Jr., aged 38, of Pineville. Guillotte Jr. stands accused of committing multiple batteries on the infant over the preceding two weeks, along with assaults on the infant’s mother. Detectives secured arrest warrants for Guillotte Jr. on charges of attempted first-degree murder and domestic abuse battery with a child present.
In a tragic turn of events, despite medical concerns and evidence of abuse, the infant’s mother, identified as Elisha Cheyenne Mazerolle, aged 27, also of Pineville, purportedly failed to seek medical help or report the abuse to law enforcement. This complicity led detectives to obtain warrants for Mazerolle, charging her with principal to first-degree murder.
The severity of the infant’s injuries ultimately proved fatal, prompting detectives to upgrade Guillotte Jr.’s charges to first-degree murder. Both Guillotte Jr. and Mazerolle were apprehended without incident by Patrol Deputies. Currently, Guillotte Jr. is held in the Rapides Parish Detention Center on a bond totaling $1,551,500.00, while Mazerolle faces charges and is held on a $100,000.00 bond, alongside a probation violation.
Despite the arrests, the investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with pertinent information to come forward. Detective Shannon Hanks, leading the investigation, can be reached at 318-473-6727, with alternative contacts at the RPSO Main Office (318-473-6700).
To remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers 318-443-7867.
The harrowing case serves as a sobering reminder of the imperative to protect vulnerable members of society and to swiftly address instances of abuse.
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A law enforcement-related agency has provided this information as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal “All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.” or arrested and charged with a crime have not been convicted of any criminal offense. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
