Gonzales couple arrested in child abuse case

A Gonzales couple have been arrested on charges of child abuse.

On Jan. 9, detectives with the Ascension Parish Juvenile Division were called to a Baton Rouge area hospital to determine what had caused the severe head injury of two year old Jaylynn Muse.

During the investigation, it was found that the child had been taken to the hospital by her godparents, Terrell and Shantell Donahue, after they had found the child unresponsive. Jaylynn had been at the home of her godparents since Jan. 6.

Doctors at the hospital performed an emergency procedure to relieve pressure from the child’s brain after they found bleeding. There were also bruises to the chid’s abdomen area.

Shantell Donahue was questioned by detctives, and said that the group had returned from a birthday party of Saturday night, and that Jaylynn began whining while they were watching television. Donahue said she slapped the child on the hand at that time, which led to the child screaming. It is then that Donahue said Terrell Donahue punched Jaylynn. It was at this time she fell and hit her head. Donahue said they then consoled the child, making sure she was not hurt, and put her to bed.

Terrell Donahue told detectives that the child was being taught her ABC’s by his wife who became aggravated with Jaylynn. Shantell Donahue, he then told detectives, hit the child in the stomach. He also said he hit Jaylynn, which caused her to fall and hit her heaad.

At press time, officials have reported that Jaylynn Muse has been taken off of life support and is not expected to recover from her in juries.

Shantall Watts Donahue, 28, and Terry Devon Donahue, 27, have both been arrested and charged with attempted 2nd degree murder. If Jaylynn does not survive, the charges will be upgraded to 2nd degree murder.

cutline 1: Shantall Watts Donahue

cutline 2: Terrell Devon Donahue

A Gonzales couple have been arrested on charges of child abuse.

On Jan. 9, detectives with the Ascension Parish Juvenile Division were called to a Baton Rouge area hospital to determine what had caused the severe head injury of two year old Jaylynn Muse.

During the investigation, it was found that the child had been taken to the hospital by her godparents, Terrell and Shantell Donahue, after they had found the child unresponsive. Jaylynn had been at the home of her godparents since Jan. 6.

Doctors at the hospital performed an emergency procedure to relieve pressure from the child’s brain after they found bleeding. There were also bruises to the chid’s abdomen area.

Shantell Donahue was questioned by detctives, and said that the group had returned from a birthday party of Saturday night, and that Jaylynn began whining while they were watching television. Donahue said she slapped the child on the hand at that time, which led to the child screaming. It is then that Donahue said Terrell Donahue punched Jaylynn. It was at this time she fell and hit her head. Donahue said they then consoled the child, making sure she was not hurt, and put her to bed.

Terrell Donahue told detectives that the child was being taught her ABC’s by his wife who became aggravated with Jaylynn. Shantell Donahue, he then told detectives, hit the child in the stomach. He also said he hit Jaylynn, which caused her to fall and hit her heaad.

At press time, officials have reported that Jaylynn Muse has been taken off of life support and is not expected to recover from her in juries.

Shantall Watts Donahue, 28, and Terry Devon Donahue, 27, have both been arrested and charged with attempted 2nd degree murder. If Jaylynn does not survive, the charges will be upgraded to 2nd degree murder.