By admin 
ADDIS, La. (WAFB/Gray News) – A 7-year-old girl died after police say she suffered multiple blunt force injuries during a domestic violence incident inside a Louisiana trailer, and her mother and her mother’s boyfriend now face murder-related charges in the case.
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The West Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office identified the child as Paris Williams. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Addis Police Chief Jason Langlois said officers were called to the MyHand Trailer Park on July 1, after receiving a report that the girl was unresponsive. When officers arrived, CPR was already in progress. Paris was taken to a children’s hospital in Baton Rouge, where she was pronounced dead.
Investigators said they determined an alleged domestic violence incident happened inside the home involving Paris’ mother, Breyonne Dorsey, and Dorsey’s boyfriend, Christopher Butler. Police said furniture was reportedly overturned during the altercation, and Paris sustained fatal injuries.
But investigators now say the account they were initially given about how Paris was hurt does not match the evidence gathered at the scene.
Dorsey is charged with principal to second-degree murder, two counts of felony domestic abuse battery with child endangerment and one count of obstruction of justice.
Butler is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of felony domestic abuse battery with child endangerment. He turned himself in to authorities in West Baton Rouge Parish on July 6.
On his way into jail, handcuffed and flanked by two law enforcement officers, Butler told WAFB Chief Investigative Reporter Chris Nakamoto that he loved Paris like his own and maintained his innocence.
During a news conference July 8, Addis police said they believe evidence was tampered with after Paris was injured. Investigators said they believe Dorsey, who police also described as a domestic violence victim in the case, played a role in covering up what happened to her daughter.
According to investigators, Dorsey and Butler originally told detectives the couple had gotten into a fight inside the home. They claimed furniture overturned during the altercation, injuring Paris and ultimately causing her death.
Detective Sgt. Ron Carroll said evidence uncovered during the investigation contradicted that account.
“There was quite a bit of evidence that shows there was an attempt to conceal what had happened,” Carroll said. “So, we can’t speculate what actually happened. We can only go by what we found.”
Police also released new details about the timeline before Paris was reported unresponsive.
Investigators said a 911 hang-up call came from a cell phone in the area around 7:30 p.m. Officers responded but were unable to pinpoint the exact location or make contact with anyone. Dispatchers later reached the caller, who reportedly said the call had been made by mistake.
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Police believe that call was made by Dorsey.
Nearly two hours later, at 9:47 p.m., investigators said a second call came from the same number requesting help for Paris.
Investigators are now trying to determine what happened between the first 911 call and the second call for help.
Langlois said investigators cannot say whether the earlier call could have changed the outcome.
“It would be speculation,” Langlois said. “Before this incident, we’ve never been to this house before. Was there any domestic-related stuff prior? We’ve heard things on the streets, but nothing has been pinpointed that it’s true or not. I just have this feeling that maybe if we had a running track, or if someone would’ve said something, or if calls would’ve been made in the past, maybe something could’ve been prevented. However, it’s hard to speculate that.”
Langlois said he understands questions about why Paris’ mother was arrested, given that police said she was also a victim in the domestic violence incident.
“I know it’s unfortunate that a lot of people are crying out, why was the mom arrested? But right now, the facts and evidence that we have in place — that is why she was arrested,” Langlois said.
Sources told WAFB that Dorsey’s bond was set at $1 million.
A WAFB investigation into Butler’s background found 10 prior convictions dating back to 2010. Those convictions include aggravated flight, illegal use of a weapon, simple assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony theft. In each of those cases, Butler was sentenced, served his time or was released from prison.
Lillie Bradford, Paris’ first-grade teacher, described the child as a constant presence in her classroom.
“Paris was truly such a bright light in our classroom and in my life. No matter what we were doing in the classroom, no matter where we were going in the hallway, she always had the biggest smile on her face,” Bradford said.
Bradford said the hardest part for educators is not knowing what happens after children leave school.
“Our one thing, our biggest thing is to save these kids, protect these kids. And they go home, and we don’t really know what happens at home. And what we can do is love them and keep them safe when they’re with us. And I think that’s the hardest part,” Bradford said.
Langlois said the case has weighed on the department.
“It always hits different when it’s a child. It really does,” Langlois said. “They’re supposed to live that good, long life, and to have it cut short over something of this nature is just senseless.”
Bradford asked for continued prayers for Paris’ family, friends and classmates.
“She was such a bright light in my life and a bright light in everyone else. Just asking for continued prayers for her family, her friends, and especially her classmates who maybe won’t understand quite exactly what happened, but peace that they’ll know that she is in a great place still,” Bradford said.
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Investigators said Dorsey and Butler are not cooperating with the investigation.