Update: Murder charge for mom, boyfriend accused of abusing WM child

Ashley Mott
The News Star

A second degree murder charge has been filed for the mom of a two-year-old West Monroe child. Her alleged boyfriend is also accused of murder.

The child in the investigation, Gavin Lowery, age two, died Saturday, April 14 from his injuries. Lowery was reportedly burned by hot water and later suffocated. 

According to a felony murder warrant filed for John David Harper, age 32, Smith Street, the child's mother, Lindsey McBride, age 25, said she left the child alone with Harper multiple times and returned home to find him scalded. 

A few days later, she came home and Gavin was unresponsive.  An investigation later revealed at some point the baby may have been deprived of oxygen by choking. 

A warrant was filed for McBride on April 20, the day after Harper was accused of the same second degree murder charge.

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Lindsey McBride and John Harper

McBride initially told officers her son fell down the steps at her home and pulled a pot of hot water off the stove but later provided a different account of the incident. Prior to the child's death, McBride was charged with one count of cruelty to juveniles.

According to the warrant, McBride later told her officers she left Gavin with Harper, a romantic interest, on the morning of April 2.

Mid-morning Harper reportedly called McBride and said Gavin jumped into a bath with hot water and suffered injuries similar to a sunburn. When McBride came home, she said the injuries were more severe than she was led to believe. 

She said Harper asked her not to seek medical attention fearing the authorities would suspect child abuse. McBride said she called in sick to work for the next days and cared for Gavin with over-the-counter pain relievers and ointments and declined to seek medical attention. 

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Per the warrant, McBride said Gavin was responsive and showing affection during this time frame. During the week, Harper continued to visit the home and stayed overnight on April 4. Thursday, he again cared for Gavin while McBride worked. 

She said Harper later told her he may have run an errand or two during the day. She attended the ball game for another son and returned home later in the day. She said Harper's vehicle wasn't there so she traveled to Smith Street to find her son. 

Lindsey McBride, April 2018

"Upon arrival, she walked into the residence finding her son, the two year old, unresponsive on the sofa," the warrant states. "She said John told her the two year old was asleep. Lindsey could not wake her son up, so they immediately transported the child to Glenwood Hospital. While on the way to the hospital," Lindsey was unable to wake her son up by talking and comforting him." 

On Monday, investigators traveled to LSU Shreveport to speak with a neurologist. The doctor said Gavin suffered two different brain injuries. 

The first injury was a brain bleed possibly caused by shaking while the second was oxygen deprivation caused by choking over a period of ten minutes. 

Per the report, the doctor could not determine which injury occurred first or if both happened at the same time. 

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The doctor said bruises on the back of the child's neck made her believe Gavin was held down into a pillow or sofa cushion. 

John Harper

She said the choking likely occurred between midnight Wednesday and noon Thursday. She also said Gavin would have been suffering a great deal from the burns, and she doubted he was able to walk or wear a diaper. 

Original arrest reports indicated the child also tested positive for amphetamine.

According to the warrant, Harper asked to seek the advise of an attorney in connection with the case. A preliminary investigation of his cell phone revealed he did attempt to send McBride pictures of the burns on April 2. 

Harper was charged with one count of second degree cruelty to juveniles prior to Gavin's death.

Both suspects are being without bond.

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