A Marshall infant remains in critical condition at Children's Medical Center Dallas after showing up at a local emergency room with signs of severe malnutrition and testing positive for narcotics, according to police. Two parents are now behind bars in connection with the case, with one facing a charge of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury and the other charged with endangering a child.
The investigation began on Oct. 12, when the infant was brought to the emergency department at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall showing signs of severe malnutrition, according to KTBS. Medical testing at the hospital also revealed the infant tested positive for narcotics, the outlet reported. The child was then transferred to Children's Medical Center Dallas for specialized care, where the infant remains in critical condition.
Parents Arrested After Weeks of Investigation
Marshall police detectives developed information during the course of their investigation and secured arrest warrants for both parents, per the same account. Kristin Akins was arrested and charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, and was booked into the Dallas County Jail, KTBS reported. Dustin Baronet was arrested and charged with endangering a child, and was booked into the Harrison County Jail.
KLTV identified Baronet as 36 years old and Akins as 35, both of Marshall, reporting that the pair were arrested Thursday in connection with the investigation. That station also confirmed the infant remains hospitalized in critical condition. As reported by CBS19, the Marshall Police Department said it takes allegations of child abuse and neglect seriously and remains committed to protecting children's safety and well-being in the community.
Booking Details Confirmed Across Reports
KSLA separately confirmed the booking arrangement, reporting that Baronet was booked into the Harrison County Jail, and Akins was booked into the Dallas County Jail. Marshall police say the investigation remains active and ongoing, and no further details about the circumstances of the infant's exposure to narcotics have been released.
