Inset: Bernard JR Fleander (Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office). Background: The 6700 block of Highway 308 in Belle Rose, La., where Fleander allegedly beat a 3-year-old girl to death while he was potty training her (Google Maps).
A 26-year-old Louisiana man who was potty training a 3-year-old girl while babysitting her allegedly pummeled her to death, causing massive injuries throughout her body.
Bernard JR Fleander is charged with first-degree murder, the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office said.
The investigation began shortly before 3:30 a.m. Thursday when Fleander brought the unresponsive girl to Assumption Community Hospital in Napoleonville. Doctors immediately began lifesaving measures but pronounced the girl dead a short time later. Her name has not been released.
Cops learned Fleander was caring for the girl, who is not his biological daughter, along with other children at his home on the 6700 block of Highway 308 in Belle Rose, which is about 45 miles south of Baton Rouge.
Local CBS affiliate WAFB reported the girl had head injuries as well as massive internal injuries to her body.
Investigators executed a search warrant and interviewed multiple people at the home.
The sheriff's office told the TV outlet the injuries stemmed from when Fleander was potty training the victim.
A medical examiner classified the girl's death as a homicide. Investigators are working with the district attorney's office and the Department of Children and Family Services. The case remains under investigation, but cops do not believe there will be additional arrests.
No other details on the case have been released.
Fleander was arrested and taken to the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office, where he is being held without bond. He is also facing a charge of failure to appear in connection with a battery charge. His next court date was not immediately listed.
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