ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — A pair of Rogers parents were arrested and are facing charges of manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a minor after the death of their two-month-old child.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Vincent Heyns, 24, and Emily Heyns, 21, stayed up all night watching movies and smoking marijuana after trick-or-treating on Oct. 31.
The two went to sleep at approximately 8-9 a.m. on Nov. 1 after their child was fed. The baby reportedly fell asleep on his father’s chest, according to the affidavit.
The victim’s grandfather arrived and woke the parents up around 2 p.m. and found that the infant was nonresponsive.
The affidavit says when law enforcement agencies arrived on the scene, the grandfather was performing CPR on the child. Once law enforcement arrived, they took over life-saving measures until EMS arrived. EMS continued life-saving measures with no avail and the child was pronounced dead at the scene.
The affidavit says Vincent told deputies the child had “shimmied” down his chest, and his face was pressed into the right side of his chest. Vincent also told deputies he felt responsible for the child’s death. Vincent told deputies he thought he was laying on the child’s shoulder when he woke up.
The affidavit says on July 13, 2021, Benton County detectives were called to investigate the death of Vincent and Emily’s 4-month-old son. The investigation revealed they were sleeping together with the boy in the same bed and the child was in Vincent’s arms when it died, according to the affidavit. The affidavit does not say if drugs were involved.
Vincent and Emily are being held at the Benton County Jail. The State is requesting a $100,000 bond.
An investigation is ongoing.
