The case of two Arkansas parents who received a 70-year prison sentence for leaving their toddler to die in a hot car with three other children has shocked the nation. Deja and Justin Rollins, the mother and father in question, were handed their fate after admitting to trapping their four children – ages 2, 4, 7, and 10 – inside a stifling car as they rushed their fifth child, a 3-year-old, to a children’s hospital in Little Rock on July 7, 2024.
Prosecutors described the case as one of the most disturbing they’ve ever encountered, with the 3-year-old child ultimately dying of severe malnutrition. This tragic incident prompted authorities to investigate the well-being of the other children in the family.
Deja, 28, and Justin, 30, left their four kids locked inside the car at Arkansas Children’s Hospital while their 3-year-old received urgent medical treatment. Police were alerted to the situation after receiving a report of child abuse and neglect. Despite the couple failing to provide authorities with the location of the vehicle, law enforcement eventually found the car outside the hospital.
The children were treated for heat exhaustion at the hospital, but tragically, the youngest child, Jay’Dien Rollins, succumbed to fatal heat exhaustion and severe malnutrition the following day.
Both Deja and Justin pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and first-degree domestic battery. The couple’s other child who survived the incident was found with physical injuries consistent with ongoing abuse.
In addition to the horrific treatment of their children, police also discovered a malnourished dog at the couple’s residence, which was taken into the custody of Jacksonville Animal Services.
Prosecuting attorney Will Jones emphasized the importance of protecting children and ensuring that those who harm them are held accountable. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement and legal professionals led to a resolution that reflects the gravity of the crimes committed by the Rollins and ensures that the children involved will not be forgotten.
