Mother Convicted in Son’s Death and Abandonment of Infant
A Louisiana mother was found guilty this week for the death of her four-year-old son and for abandoning her infant near I-10 in 2024.
After about three hours of deliberation, the jury convicted 28-year-old Aaliyah Jack from Lake Charles on charges of second-degree murder and child cruelty, as reported by local outlet KPLC. Her 4-year-old son, Legend, was discovered drowned close to the Vinton Welcome Center on July 8, 2024. The following morning, a truck driver found her 1-year-old son, Kingtrail, alive and crawling along I-10, a few miles away.
Prosecutor Jacob Johnson urged the jury to be resolute if they found Jack guilty based on the presented evidence. He emphasized that her intent to harm her children justified a life sentence. “The choice to leave him alone is the intentional mistreatment of him… He died as a result of that choice,” he argued during his closing statements.
On the other hand, public defender King Alexander contended that Jack’s actions did not warrant a murder conviction. “No harm was certain to occur by anything that she did,” Alexander claimed, suggesting that the state was misapplying the murder definition to achieve a particular verdict.
Johnson responded by stating that the intention to kill isn’t a necessary component for a murder conviction. Ultimately, the jury opted to convict Jack of second-degree murder instead of considering lesser charges like manslaughter or negligent homicide.
In Louisiana, a second-degree murder conviction results in a mandatory life sentence. Jack’s sentencing is set for November 5.
Jack reportedly admitted to a local news outlet that she killed Legend and left Kingtrail while “under the influence of drugs.” Her attorneys’ attempt to suppress her confession video during the trial was denied by the judge.
Dion Polk, the boys’ paternal grandmother, expressed that the trial’s outcome felt like justice for her grandson. “I felt relieved,” Polk said about the verdict. “I felt like justice was served for Legend because that’s what it was about. It was about Legend and Kingtrail.” She hopes Kingtrail will have a chance at a normal life despite the tragedy that struck his early years.
“That child needs to grow up, and when he’s old enough, competent people need to explain to him what happened when he asks questions,” Polk shared. “I want him to go to college, get married, have a family and just live his life.”
Chasity Gray, Legend’s cousin, reportedly applauded in the courtroom after the verdict was announced, leaving with tears streaming down her face. “Aaliyah just stole his whole life from him,” Gray expressed. “She stole everything that he could have been.”
Both Polk and Gray emphasized that Legend was a typical 4-year-old who enjoyed Ninja Turtles and Sonic the Hedgehog, excited about starting school just a month later. “He was supposed to go to school the next month, but he passed away in July,” Gray recalled.
Polk also spoke about the heartbreaking moment she saw Legend’s body, expressing her fears that he was alone and terrified. “To see my grandson — to see him laying on that pallet, swollen… He was yelling for you to help. You just left him. He was screaming for help,” Polk remembered, noting his fear of water and darkness.
Gray voiced her desire for Legend to be remembered for more than just his tragic death. “I don’t want his death to be the only thing people know about him,” she said. “He loved puppies. He loved playing with kids. He was just your normal 4-year-old kid.”
