A tragic development has emerged in the case of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, who was reported missing from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

On June 20, the Baton Rouge Police Department announced that investigators now believe Ja’Derrius is deceased. Authorities have arrested 51-year-old Maurice Parms, who has been booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a charge of first-degree murder.

According to investigators, Ja’Derrius was last seen around 2 a.m. on June 5 in Baton Rouge. Detectives allege that evidence indicates the teenager was fatally beaten and that his body was removed from the scene. As of Saturday evening, his remains had not yet been located.

Court documents state that Ja’Derrius had gone to visit a 16-year-old longtime friend before he disappeared. Investigators allege that the friend had spent time with Parms earlier that day and that a confrontation later took place between Ja’Derrius and Parms over Parms’ alleged behavior toward the 16-year-old.

According to the arrest warrant, witnesses reported seeing a taller man repeatedly ᴀssaulting a smaller individual for several minutes. They also allegedly heard someone pleading for the attack to stop and asking to be left alone. Detectives later discovered what they described as large suspected bloodstains in the area where the incident reportedly occurred.

Investigators also allege that surveillance footage captured a person matching Parms’ body type riding a child’s bicycle, discarding items including a mask, gloves, and a T-shirt before later returning to retrieve them. Authorities further claim Parms was seen cleaning areas inside his truck, where blood was later detected, along with additional blood evidence found at the scene.

According to investigators, Parms allegedly concealed Ja’Derrius’ body, disposed of evidence, later returned to recover additional items—and possibly the body—before transporting it elsewhere in his vehicle.

Authorities also stated that evidence uncovered during the missing person investigation led to Parms’ earlier arrest on June 10 on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. Detectives further allege they discovered evidence suggesting an inappropriate relationship between Parms and the 16-year-old referenced in the investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities continue searching for Ja’Derrius’ remains. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Please keep Ja’Derrius’ family and loved ones in your thoughts as they continue to seek answers and hope for closure.