Rayne Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Second Degree Murder

A woman from Rayne, Brittany Prejean, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of 3-year-old Keaghyn Parsons of Lake Charles in May of 2014.

The original charge against the woman was first degree murder, but prosecutors decided to change the charges to second degree murder.

The 24-year-old woman was engaged to the boy's father, and last year while in her care, police say he died.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office responded to a call near Jennings after the caller said the child was not responsive.

The boy was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.

Officials say the boy's autopsy revealed a perforation in his small intestine was caused by blunt force to the stomach.

The boy's father was at work at the time of his little boy's death.

The boy had been visiting his father and Prejean.