A tragic incident occurred in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where a three-year-old girl was fatally injured by two male cousins, aged 10 and 12. This occurred while their mothers were at a casino and the children were alone unsupervised.

The male juveniles have since been charged with murder. In connection with this case, Dineshia Yates, the mother of the victim, and Terice Scott, the mother of the 10-year-old and aunt of the 12-year-old, also face charges of child neglect.

The fatal event occurred on February 12, 2024, on O’Neal Lane in Baton Rouge.

The victim, three-year-old Blessing Buckles, sustained a brain bleed and widespread bruising on her face and body, indicating that she was subjected to blunt force trauma.

Another child in the house alerted the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office about an unconscious child in the home. Arriving deputies found the house lacking adult supervision.

Unable to locate the right house due to the child caller’s uncertainty, deputies started knocking on doors in the area. Meanwhile, a car with its hazard lights flashing arrived, carrying two women who had just returned from a casino.

Yates and Scott, both 26-year-old friends, confessed that they had left a total of eight children, ages ranging from 11 months to 12 years, unattended at home while they were gambling. At the time of the incident, Yates and her children were staying with Scott and her family.

Blessing Buckles passed away two days later, on February 14, at the hospital. The severity of her injuries was confirmed by medical professionals.

Investigations disclosed that Yates had previously observed bruises on one of her daughters after leaving the children alone with the 12-year-old boy, who Scott knew had a violent disposition. Despite this knowledge, both women allegedly continued to leave the children unsupervised for lengthy periods.

Scott has a past marked by criminal behavior, including charges of murder in 2021 and arson in 2023. Yates also has a history of arrests for theft and property damage.

The two juvenile suspects now face charges of battery and second-degree murder.

Expressing condolences to the family, Sheriff Sid Gautreaux stated that such incidents are preventable. The Department of Children and Family Services has been informed about the situation, underlining the importance of vigilance in protecting children from harm.