On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., Officers with the Leesville Police Department responded to a local residence in reference to an unresponsive child. The child was identified as a 4-year-old girl who was living in the home. The child was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. She was later airlifted to another hospital; however, she succumbed to her injuries on Thursday morning.
Leesville Police Department immediately began an investigation into the incident who worked jointly with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, Department of Children and Family Services, the Vernon Parish Coroner’s Office and the Vernon Parish District Attorney’s Office. A search warrant was obtained for the home. During the search, officers located narcotics in the residence which resulted in Terrie Gray, 48-year-old of Leesville, and Logan Miller, 24-year-old of Leesville, being arrested and charged with Possession of CDS – Schedule II. Gray was also arrested on outstanding warrants for Contempt of Court. Both Gray and Miller were booked into the Vernon Parish Jail on November 6, 2024, and a hold was placed on them pending possible additional charges that may result from the investigation into the death of the 4-year-old girl.
During the initial investigation, it was determined that both the 4-year-old girl and her 2-year-old brother had injuries that are believed to be the result of physical abuse. The death of the 4-year-old girl was determined to be a result of that physical abuse. As a result, warrants were obtained for both Terrie Gray and Logan Miller for one count of First-Degree Murder and two counts of Second-Degree Cruelty to Juveniles. Both Gray and Miller remain in the Vernon Parish Jail at this time.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has any information that they believe would be helpful in the investigation is encouraged to contact the Leesville Police Department at 337-238-0331.
Chief Westlake would like to thank the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, Department of Children and Family Services, the Vernon Parish Coroner’s Office, and the Vernon Parish District Attorney’s Office for working so diligently with the Leesville Police Department in this investigation. These are the types of calls that law enforcement never hope they have to respond to. Chief Westlake urges anyone who suspects or has knowledge of any child being abused in our community to report the abuse to the Leesville Police Department, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, or the Department of Children and Family Services.