The NOPD has arrested Diane M. Ferrand (pictured, black female, DOB; 02-07-1997) on homicide charges stemming from the death of a 2-year-old toddler.

On April 28, 2022, at approximately 4:50 p.m., members of the NOPD Child Abuse Unit were notified of a report of physical abuse where a 2-year-old toddler male was found unresponsive. The child was transported to a local hospital for treatment of multiple serious injuries.

Through further investigation that day, the child’s mother – identified as Ferrand – was detained, questioned, and subsequently arrested and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on a charge of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

The juvenile later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Through autopsy conducted on May 3, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office determined that the manner of death to be a homicide.

Based on this development, the signal for this incident was changed to a homicide. NOPD Homicide Unit detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Ferrand for one count of second-degree murder, and Ferrand was re-booked accordingly.

Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD Homicide Unit detectives at 504-658-5300.