Remains of Missing Louisiana Teen Recovered From Landfill
The remains of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, who disappeared from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in June, have been recovered from a local landfill, bringing a tragic conclusion to a weeks-long search.
Minnieweather was reported missing on June 5. Authorities later announced that Maurice Parms, 51, had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the teenager’s death.
Investigators came to believe that Minnieweather’s body had been placed inside a trash container and transported to the East Baton Rouge Parish North Landfill in Zachary.
The remains were recovered on Aug. 18 after crews spent weeks searching through enormous quantities of landfill material.
Extensive Search Covered Thousands of Tons of Waste
The recovery effort began July 13, with Baton Rouge police working alongside federal and local agencies, including the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The landfill presented an enormous challenge. The facility covers more than 400 acres and receives large quantities of municipal waste each day. Investigators used available evidence, including information connected to the garbage truck involved, to narrow the search area.
Crews worked through extreme summer heat while excavating and processing landfill waste. By Aug. 14, search teams had excavated approximately 4,265 cubic yards and processed about 3,590 tons of material.
Officials said the search operation involved thousands of hours of work and gradually increased the amount of waste being processed each day.
The recovered remains were transferred to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office. DNA testing conducted with assistance from the LSU FACES Laboratory and Louisiana State Police Crime Lab was used to confirm the teenager’s identity.
Suspect Faces Murder and Additional Charges
Parms was arrested June 20 and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison in connection with Minnieweather’s death. He faces a first-degree murder charge and is being held without bond on that count.
According to investigators, evidence indicated that Minnieweather was killed before his body was concealed and ultimately transported to the landfill.
Authorities later filed additional charges against Parms on Aug. 14 involving an alleged separate incident with a 16-year-old girl. Those charges include second-degree rape, trafficking of children for sexual purposes and indecent behavior with juveniles. He is being held on a combined $600,000 bond related to those allegations.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue working to build their case.
Minnieweather’s mother, Aquarius Minnieweather, has spoken publicly about the devastating loss of her son and established a fundraising campaign to help with funeral expenses and provide support for the family.
The recovery of Ja’Derrius’ remains gives his family an opportunity to bring him home and begin the difficult process of mourning after months of uncertainty.
