Morgan City man booked on juvenile cruelty charge

Morgan City detectives have arrested a man accused of cruelty to a juvenile after their investigation led to a small child who had been injured.

Gilbert Christopher Howard, 54, Brashear Avenue, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:47 p.m. Thursday on charges of cruelty of a juvenile, improper supervision of a minor by a parent or legal custodian, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a person under 17 years of age, possession of marijuana (first offense), possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer and disturbing the peace.

About 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Morgan City officers responded to a local motel in the area of La. 182 regarding a disturbance. According to reports, 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 were observed in the room, which led officer to believe the child in question may have been injured, the Police Department said. 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 treatment. Reports indicate that the parent left the child in the care of Howard.

The parent later returned and observed Howard placing his fingers in the child's mouth in an erratic manner, police said. 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 for Howard's room, which uncovered corroborative evidence, police said. Howard was 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.