Detectives Arrest a Morgan City Man In a Cruelty to Juvenile Investigation!

Gilbert Christopher Howard, 54 years of age, Address: Brashear Ave. Morgan City, La., arrested on 8/29/2024 @ 3:47 p.m.

Charges: Cruelty to a Juvenile
                   Improper Supervision of a Minor
                   by Parent or Legal Custodian
                   Illegal Use of CDS in Presence 
                   of Person Under Seventeen years
                   of Age
                   Possession of Marijuana 1st
                   Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 
                   Resisting an Officer
                   Disturbing the Peace 

On August 29, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m. officers with the Morgan City Police Department responded to a local motel in the area of Hwy 182 regarding a disturbance. According to reports, Gilbert Howard was identified and found to be in an impaired state. The investigation yielded that Howard was allegedly to be responsible for the care of a small child. Officers entered the room registered to Howard and was unable to locate the child inside the room. Blood, vomit and feces was observed in the room which led officer to believe the child in question may have been injured. Suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia was located. Howard was taken into custody and placed under arrest when he began to resist officers.

Investigators with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division responded when a search for the child commenced. The child along with parent was located at a local medical facility seeking medical treatment. Reports indicate that the parent left the child in the care of Mr. Howard. The parent later returned when they observed Howard placing his fingers in the child's mouth in an erratic manner. It was believed the child had ingested illegal narcotics. The parent then removed the child and later sought medical treatment. The investigation uncovered injuries and evidence consistent with the account of events learned by investigators. A search warrant was initiated of Howards room which uncovered corroborative evidence. Howard was charged accordingly and incarcerated into the Morgan City Jail where he now awaits court proceedings. The investigation is still on going along with notification to the Department of Children and Family Services.   

****All Subjects Are Innocent Until Proven Guilty****