Testimony in child’s death reveals pattern of seizures, history of being locked in closet

Published 4:05 pm Wednesday, August 28, 2024

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Jaylin Lewis and girlfriend Kirsten Louis texted back and forth about the medical condition of King Dewey in the months leading up to his death, according to day two of testimony in Lewis’ trial.

Prosecutor Tommy Coleman presented information to the woman of cell phone records questioning her on incidents in which Dewey had seizures and in which he was placed in a closet at the Port Arthur home.

Louis, wearing a navy blue jail jumpsuit, spoke softly, her gaze rarely moving up to the attorneys and Lewis. On Tuesday she pleaded guilty to two, first-degree felony counts of injury to a child. She was sentenced to 30 years on each charge to run concurrently and waived the right to an appeal. She frequently told the court she takes full responsibility for her actions.

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King Dewey, 4, and two siblings ages 6 and 7 were dropped off with Louis by her mother in December 2021 for what was supposed to be a weekend. Louis knew her mother was having trouble with Child Protective Services.

Dewey, who had Down Syndrome, had fluctuations in his weight. He also could not speak to communicate his needs, according to testimony.

There was discussion on locating Dewey’s bottle in an April 1, 2022, text exchange between the defendant and the child’s sister, Louis. The bottle was eventually found — “Bro, his bottle was in the closet, stupid,” Lewis texted.

The closet refers to a closet in the home where Dewey was placed. When first responders entered the home May 31, 2022, in reference to a 911 call regarding Dewey they found a red padlock on a closet door. Inside was a sheet with urine and toys. He was not in the closet when first responders arrived.

Testimony showed the child had been placed in the closet on multiple occasions.

Defense attorney Tom Burbank questioned Louis steering the dialogue to her being in charge of the child and not Lewis.

When asked why she didn’t seek medical care for Dewey her response was “I don’t know.”

Louis testified she called her mother with questions on caring for Dewey and was told to give him milk and vitamins when he was sick or not eating.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Baiyang Xu was called by the state to speak on the autopsy, which was performed June 3, 2022.

While Xu was not the pathologist that performed the autopsy he worked for Forensic Medical Management Services, which is used by Jefferson County. He had notes from the original doctor with him.

An external examination showed Dewey was very thin and his skin stuck to his bones. The muscles in his extremities had atrophied; his genitalia was dry and black, the skin firm and dry.

Xu said this could mean the child had been dead for as long as two to three days.

There was also maggot activity on the child’s genitalia, which can happen in a live person as well, Xu stated. He used the example of a person having undergone surgery and not taking care of the wound.

The child’s stomach was empty and dry.

The child’s cause of death was severe malnutrition and bronchial pneumonia. Malnutrition leaves the body unable to fight infection, which is tied to pneumonia, he said.

Louis is on trial for injury to a child in relation to Dewey’s death.

Dewey died May 31, 2022.

Lewis’ trial is ongoing in the 252nd District Court with Judge Raquel West presiding.