Mom charged with killing baby 55 years after saying he fell from crib

Louisiana Mother Charged with Murdering Baby 55 Years After Claiming He Fell Out of Crib

Alice Rollinson Bunch Idlett, a 75-year-old Louisiana mother, has recently been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the 1970 death of her 16-month-old baby, Earl Dwayne Bunch III. The case resurfaced after a cold-case investigation conducted in 2022 revealed new evidence pointing towards homicide.

Initially, back in 1970, Idlett had claimed that her son had suffered a fatal injury after falling from his crib. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that baby Earl had sustained bruises, bite marks, and burn marks, indicating signs of abuse. Disturbing letters written by Idlett to her then-husband, Earl Bunch Jr., surfaced during the investigation, where she expressed hatred towards her son and even wished for his death.

In one of the letters, Idlett wrote, “I just got through whipping that little bastard. I hate him. That’s the honest truth.” She went on to express her deep-seated resentment towards her son, stating, “I wish I would have died when he was born. I hate myself.” These letters painted a grim picture of the troubled relationship between Idlett and her child.

Further excerpts from the letters revealed Idlett’s threats towards her son, with statements like, “I’ll kill him before he becomes spoilt,” and “If he starts crying when I put him down to play, I’m going to whip him until his darn seat is red. I hate your son. I wish he was dead.” The court documents also detailed how she questioned her own feelings, wondering why she couldn’t love her own child.

When baby Earl was taken to the hospital, doctors noted severe injuries that were inconsistent with a fall from a crib. Despite the evidence pointing towards foul play, Idlett denied harming her son and attributed his injuries to a fall at his grandmother’s house. The lack of action from the child’s father, who failed to report the incriminating letters, allowed the case to remain unresolved for decades.

However, in 2022, a renewed investigation led to the reopening of the case, resulting in the arrest of Idlett on charges of second-degree murder. She is currently held in the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center on a $950,000 bond, awaiting further legal proceedings.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and the pursuit of justice, even decades after a crime has been committed. The tragic story of baby Earl highlights the enduring impact of abuse and the need for accountability in cases of child maltreatment.