Webster County couple charged after child's death

A Webster County man and woman are facing possible life sentences after prosecutors say an 18-month-old child died of asphyxia while in their care.

Jennifer Bolin, 21, and Michel Perrin, 22, were charged Thursday with child abuse resulting in the death of Bolin's 18-month-old daughter.

According to a probable cause statement, authorities were dispatched to Bolin's home in the 500 block of West Ventura Street in Seymour on March 6 where they discovered an 18-month-old girl had died.

The statement says an autopsy later revealed the girl died of asphyxia.

Investigators with the Missouri State Highway Patrol later learned that Perrin, who is Bolin's live-in boyfriend, got upset earlier on March 6 because he was awoken by Bolin's 3-year-old and 18-month-old daughters playing, according to the statement.

Perrin put the children down for a nap and wrapped them up in a blanket tight enough so that they could not move, according to the statement.

Perrin allegedly told investigators he "swaddled" the children as a form of punishment.

When Perrin went in to check on the girls a while later, the statement says, the younger girl was not responsive so he called 911.

Investigators allegedly found the blanked used to "swaddle" the girl in the trash can.

The statement says investigators could see an imprint from the child's lips and nostrils on the blanket in addition to saliva, indicating the blanket had been covering the girl's face.

Bolin and Perrin have been charged with an A Felony version of child abuse, meaning they could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted.

Bolin and Perrin do not have attorneys listed for this case.