Contents
Introduction
Ezekiel Harry was a 2-year-old boy who lived in Houma, Louisiana, with his mother, Maya Jones, and her boyfriend, Jermaine Robinson. On July 12, 2023, he was reported missing by his mother, who claimed that he had wandered off from their home. However, later that day, his body was found in a trash can near Robinson’s residence, wrapped in a black duffel bag. The coroner’s office determined that the cause of death was severe blunt force trauma to the head. Jones and Robinson were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice. They could potentially face the death penalty for the child’s death.
The discovery of the body
According to Houma Today, the Houma Police Department received a call from Jones at around noon on July 12, reporting that her son was missing. She said that she had last seen him playing in the front yard of their home on Daspit Street. She also said that she had searched the neighborhood and contacted relatives and friends, but could not find him.
The police launched a search operation, involving multiple agencies and volunteers. They also issued an alert on social media, asking for the public’s help in locating the toddler. However, at about 6 p.m., they made a horrifying discovery: Ezekiel’s body was found in a trash can on Daspit Street, just a few blocks away from his home. The trash can belonged to Robinson, who lived at another address on the same street.
The police also obtained surveillance footage from a nearby business, which showed Jones and Robinson carrying a black duffel bag from their home to Robinson’s residence at around 1 p.m., shortly after Jones reported her son missing. The police said that the bag contained Ezekiel’s body.
The cause of death
On July 16, the Houma Chief of Detectives Travis Theriot announced that the coroner’s office had found the cause of death for Ezekiel to be severe blunt force trauma to the head. He said that the coroner was still waiting for a toxicology report before making the final conclusion.
The police did not reveal any details about how or when Ezekiel suffered the fatal injuries, or what weapon was used. They also did not disclose any motive for the killing, or whether there were any signs of abuse or neglect on the child’s body.
However, they said that they had collected evidence from both Jones’ and Robinson’s residences, and that they were interviewing witnesses and relatives to piece together what happened.
The arrest and charges
Jones and Robinson were arrested on July 13 and booked into the Terrebonne Parish jail. They were both charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice. They are being held without bond.
First-degree murder is punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole in Louisiana. Obstruction of justice is punishable by up to 40 years in prison.
The police said that Jones and Robinson had been living together for about six months, and that Robinson was not Ezekiel’s biological father. They also said that Jones had two other children, aged 7 and 9, who were placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
The reaction and aftermath
The case of Ezekiel Harry has shocked and saddened the community of Houma, which has a population of about 33,000 people. Many people expressed their outrage and grief on social media, and some organized vigils and fundraisers for the boy’s funeral expenses.
Houma Chief of Police Dana Coleman said that the case was one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking he had ever seen in his career. He said that it “shocks the conscience” and “defies all logic”.
He also thanked the public for their cooperation and support in the investigation, and urged anyone with any information to come forward.
He said that his department would do everything in its power to seek justice for Ezekiel Harry.
