Arkansas – In a disturbing case out of Arkansas, a 34-year-old man, identified as N. Bridges, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after he admitted to the murder of his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son. The sentencing took place in the circuit court, where Judge D. Glover delivered the verdict, condemning Bridges to what will likely be a lifetime behind bars.
The tragic event unfolded in 2022 when Bridges, in a fit of rage triggered by the child biting his finger—a finger Bridges had intentionally placed in the boy’s mouth—drowned the young child in a toilet bowl. The boy’s death not only shocked the community but also revealed further instances of abuse within the household. The boy’s mother, 30-year-old A. Rolland, faces her own set of legal challenges, awaiting trial on multiple felony charges, including capital murder, permitting child abuse, and abuse of a corpse. Her involvement and the extent of her complicity in the abuse of her children have deeply shaken the local community and strained the justice system tasked with unraveling the grim details of the case.
The investigation into the 5-year-old boy’s death began after his grandparents requested assistance from the sheriff’s office to pick up the boy and his sister from Rolland’s residence. Although Rolland brought out her daughter, she claimed the boy was not at home. The young girl exhibited severe injuries, which Rolland dismissively attributed to an allergic reaction. Upon further investigation, deputies discovered a disturbing scene at Rolland’s home. Newly nailed-down boards covered an area where a foul odor emanated. Under these boards, deputies uncovered evidence of a shallow grave containing the body of the boy, wrapped in plastic bags and a blanket. The horrific discovery was later confirmed by the crime lab.
During the investigation, Rolland confessed to the authorities that the fatal incident occurred on September 9, 2022. She described a scene where Bridges, in retaliation for being bitten, dragged her son to the bathroom and repeatedly placed his head in a water filled toilet bowl until the child drowned. She further revealed that Bridges then concealed the body beneath their home, cutting into the wooden floor and burying the child in a makeshift grave.
Moreover, Rolland implicated Bridges in the abuse of their daughter, recounting an episode where he punished the girl by holding her under scalding water, allegedly to correct her behavioral issues. Bridges, having pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and battery, received a 40-year sentence for the murder charge and an additional 20 years for the battery charge, set to be served consecutively. Rolland’s trial is set for September 17, 2024, where she will face the legal consequences of her actions or inactions regarding the abuse and death of her son.
