Mother accused of burning five-year-old with cigarette

A woman was arrested after the Opelousas General Hospital ER alerted the St. Landry parish Sheriff’s Office that the staff had observed signs of torture on a juvenile.
E.R. staff treated the 5-year-old child for burns to his hand and torso. The burns appeared to have been caused by a cigarette.
On Jan. 17, Juvenile Detectives investigated the injuries. The child was interviewed. His father, who had brought the young boy to the E.R., was questioned.
After thorough investigation, the child’s mother, 26-year-old Jessica Deville, of Christine Rd., Opelousas, was arrested. She is charged with Cruelty to a Juvenile, a crime which carries penalties of up to 10 years at hard labor.
The boy is recovering and will reside with his father.
Jessica Deville has been released on a bond of $3,500. St. Landry Parish Child Protection Services was notified of the arrest and their investigation is ongoing.