PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Port Arthur Police are searching for a third suspect in connection with the death investigation of a 4-year-old boy with disabilities found malnourished Tuesday.
The boy's mother Tina Louis, 43, and his sister, Kirsten Louis, 21, are charged individually with two counts of injury to a child, according to jail records. Tina Louis also faces an additional charge of failure to identify.
Port Arthur Police announced Thursday that they're searching for an additional suspect in connection with the death of the three-year-old boy. 24-year-old Jaylin Jevon Lewis is wanted on two warrants for injury to a child.
A previous picture of Lewis that was released was a mugshot taken four years ago. Since that mugshot was taken, Lewis has, "gained a bit of weight and changed his hairstyle."
Deputies have released a more recent "casual photograph" of Lewis. He is said to be 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 300 pounds.
Editor's Note: In prior stories, 12News reported King Dewey was only 3 years old. That was based on information from Port Arthur Police and court documents. The boy's grandmother says he was 4 years old at the time of his death.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Felony Fugitive Warrant Division is assisting the Port Arthur Police Department in the search for Jaylin Jevon Lewis.
Anyone who may know information about the third suspect, Lewis, is encouraged to contact the Port Arthur Police Department.
Investigators with the Port Arthur Police said they found the child dead Tuesday around 7:25 a.m. in a Port Arthur home in the 300 block of Richmond Ave.
Police said family members told officials the child had a form of down syndrome. Detective Mike Hebert told 12News the child weighed 19 pounds when he was found.
Two other children were on the property when police arrived, according to police. They were later taken to CPS and are currently safe with relatives, police said. The investigation also revealed that the home had a closet with a padlocked door.
Police say Kirsten Louis identified herself as the child’s older sister and caretaker at the time. She told police she took in the boy in early May 2022. She also said the boy was losing weight while she was caring for him, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Kirsten Louis told police the weight loss worried her, so she reached out to her mother Tina Louis with the intent to get the child some help.
Kirsten Louis told police Tina said the boy’s weight was normal due to his condition and advised her to feed him milk and vitamins.
Kirsten Louis said she didn’t think milk and vitamins were enough but she also didn’t seek further advice, the affidavit says.
Kirsten Louis also admitted the victim needed medical attention due to his physical state but she did not call the police or EMS due to the fear of having her siblings, including the victim removed by Child Protective Services.
Tina Louis admitted that the child had not seen any healthcare treatment in about nine months, according to a probable cause affidavit. She also said she had not seen the boy since December 2021 when she dropped him off at her daughter Kirsten Louis' residence.
Tina and Kirsten Louis were charged with two counts of injury to a child after police accused the two of refusing to provide the proper care for the child, knowing that he required special attention and medical care due to his health and mental disability, according to the probable cause affidavit.
They were initially charged with one count of injury to a child, and both women were held on a $750,000 bond. As a result of the additional charge, Tina and Kirsten Louis are now held on bonds totaling $1.5 million each.
At this time, it is unclear why the additional charges were added.
"This is a very fluid investigation. The entire investigations division was involved in that case so there's so many moving parts right now," Hebert said.
Justice of the Peace Ben Collins told 12News this is the worst case he has seen in 42 years.
"This particular case, there were 30-year veteran officers there that were shook up over what they saw," said Port Arthur Police Detective Mike Hebert.
Investigators said they found the child’s body at the home in an extremely malnourished condition.
"People always say it comes with the job but not something like this. This is just horrible. It's just horrible," Hebert said.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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Updated news release from a Port Arthur Police Department 6/02/2022....
The Port Arthur Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating
a wanted fugitive. The above listed Jaylin Lewis has 2 outstanding Felony warrants for Injury to a Child. Lewis is a suspect in the death of 3 yr old King Dewey.
Baby King was found deceased at a residence in the 300 Blk of Richmond Ave on 05-31-22. If anyone knows the whereabouts of Lewis, they are asked to contact the Port Arthur Police Department at 409-983-8600.
Photos of Baby King, along with a photo of Jaylin Lewis have been attached with this press release.
This incident is currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Port Arthur Police Department.
From a Port Arthur Police news release...
The Port Arthur Police Department is currently investigating the death of a 3 year old male handicap child that was found deceased within his home.
Investigators found the child’s body to be in an extremely emaciated condition.
The child’s mother, Tina Louis (43yrs of age) and the child’s sister, Kristen Louis
(21yrs of age) were arrested for Injury to a Child/1st Degree Felony and transported to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.
This incident is currently under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Port Arthur Police Department.