Arkansas couple charged with murder after toddler left in a hot vehicle dies, police say

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An Arkansas couple has been charged with first-degree murder after one of their four young children was left in a hot car and died of heat exhaustion, authorities said.

Prosecutors in Little Rock filed murder charges Monday against Deja and Justin Rollins in the death of their 2-year-old. They have pleaded not guilty.

The police initially responded to a report of child abuse Sunday afternoon at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where one of the couple’s children was receiving emergency medical treatment, officials said. Meanwhile, hospital security learned the couple had four other children, ages 2, 4, 7 and 10, in a vehicle in the parking lot. The children were taken inside for treatment, and the 2-year-old died the next day, police said.

In addition to the murder charges, Deja and Justin Rollins are both charged with domestic violence, neglect, child abuse, animal cruelty and obstruction, officials said. Investigators found a malnourished dog at the Rollins’ home in Jacksonville, just northeast of Little Rock. Online court records did not list an attorney for the couple. The county public defender did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

The couple were being held without bail Tuesday, and prosecutors have not yet said whether they will seek the death penalty.