The body of a 15-year-old boy has been recovered from a Louisiana landfill nearly two months after he went missing and authorities allege a man beat him to death over the mistreatment of a teenage girl, then discarded his remains in a trash can.
Background
Ja'Derrius Minnieweather was reported missing on June 5. The Baton Rouge Police Department immediately launched an investigation that would span weeks and involve processing thousands of tons of garbage at a local landfill.
According to investigators, witnesses observed a man believed to be Maurice Parms beating a smaller individual identified as Ja'Derrius near the 16-year-old girl's home where both teenagers had been present. Detectives documented blood soaked into the ground at the scene, and video footage captured Parms dragging a trash can to the side of the road before departing on a child's bicycle.
Parms reportedly admitted to meeting Ja'Derrius at the girl's residence after the boy rode his bicycle there one day prior to his disappearance. The 15-year-old victim and the girl were friends, authorities confirmed.
Garbage collectors unknowingly collected the victim's body inside the trash can and transported the remains to the East Baton Rouge Parish landfill, where they remained until recovery efforts could locate them.
The Investigation
Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse announced at a press conference that investigators had recovered Ja'Derrius' body on Tuesday following an exhaustive six-week search through more than 3,500 tons of landfill waste.
While DNA testing remains pending to confirm the identity of the remains, authorities expressed confidence based on clothing found with the body. The investigation required specialized equipment and personnel to sift through debris at the landfill facility.
Police Chief Morse addressed the determination to continue searching despite the challenges involved in such an endeavor.
"I couldn't imagine a day where I had to go to Ms. Aquarius and say 'we haven't found him, and we're not gonna look anymore,' that was kind of unimaginable to try to have that conversation so we kept pushing and I'm very thankful for everyone who pitched in to make this dig happen," Morse said, referring to the victim's mother.
Mayor-President Sid Edwards echoed the commitment to bringing closure: "This son of Baton Rouge is coming home."
The Charges
Maurice Parms, 51, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with Ja'Derrius Minnieweather's death. He also faces charges of second-degree rape, trafficking of children for sexual purposes, and indecent behavior with juveniles related to his alleged relationship with the 16-year-old girl.
Police allege Parms had an "inappropriate relationship" with the teenager he was ostensibly defending when he attacked Ja'Derrius over claims the boy had mistreated her. The circumstances suggest the violence may have stemmed from Parms' possessive or jealous response rather than any actual grievance against the victim.
Parms remains in custody at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison without bond. His next scheduled court appearance is set for Oct. 15, where he will face these charges before a judge.
Key Takeaways
- Ja'Derrius Minnieweather was reported missing on June 5; his body was recovered nearly two months later from a landfill
- Maurice Parms allegedly beat the teen to death over claims he mistreated a 16-year-old girl with whom Parms had an inappropriate relationship, according to police
- Garbage collectors unknowingly collected the victim's remains in a trash can and transported them to the city landfill
- Investigators spent six weeks processing approximately 3,500 tons of waste before locating the body
- DNA confirmation is pending, though authorities are confident the remains belong to Ja'Derrius based on clothing evidence
What's Next
Parms is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 15 for preliminary proceedings. The pending DNA results will formally confirm the body's identity. Prosecutors are expected to pursue the first-degree murder charge as they prepare their case, while defense attorneys have not yet filed motions or made public statements regarding the allegations.