An Arkansas couple will spend decades behind bars for the deaths of two of their children.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, a 3-year-old died from abuse and severe malnutrition in 2024, while a 2-year-old died of heat exhaustion in the parking lot after being left in a hot car with three siblings.
On Friday, Judge Karen Whatley of the Sixth Judicial Circuit sentenced Justin Rollins and Deja Rollins to 70 years each in a state correctional facility. The couple pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder for the killings of their children, as well as an additional count of first-degree domestic battery for the abuse of their 4-year-old child, according to court records obtained by KARK.
Police responded to a call on July 7 about a possible child abuse victim at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The 3-year-old had injuries requiring “urgent medical treatment.”
The parents were detained for the abuse, and police began investigating if they had other children. Jacksonville police reported four children trapped inside a vehicle in the parking lot. The temperature had reached 92 degrees that day in Little Rock.
“During the investigation, officers discovered the couple had four other children, ages 2, 4, 7, and 10,” Jacksonville Police stated. “At the time of their arrest, Justin and Deja Rollins did not cooperate in providing the location of the other children.“
Police said all the children found inside the vehicle were suffering from heat exhaustion. They were taken into the hospital for treatment, but the youngest child, Jay’Dien, subsequently passed away.
The 3-year-old also passed away from severe malnutrition.
Following their investigation, authorities searched the Rollins’ residence and found a malnourished dog on the premises. The dog was transferred to Jacksonville Animal Services. The couple was charged with animal cruelty, but the charge was dismissed as part of a plea deal, People Magazine reports.
In addition to 70 years for each murder charge, the defendants received 10 years for the domestic abuse charge, with all sentences required to be served one after the other.
“This case is one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking our office has ever encountered,” Jones said. “Protecting children is the top priority of this office. There is no greater responsibility, and we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that those who harm a child are held fully accountable.”
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[Feature Photos: Deja and Justin Rollins/Jacksonville PD