4-Year-Old Killed, Uncle Arrested

DeRidder, LA - The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office says a 4-year-old boy was stabbed to death Tuesday afternoon by a man believed to be his uncle.

Chief Deputy Joe Toler says that 25-year-old John W. Hatfield III, of DeRidder, was taken into custody following a report received at approximately 3:30 p.m. that a 4-year-old had been stabbed in the chest at a residence west of DeRidder.

Beauregard Sheriff Ricky Moses identifies victim as 4-year-old Tanner Bailey.
Moses said according to witnesses they heard the child scream and went into the room and saw he was stabbed in chest. They called 911.

Deputies and detectives arrived at the scene to find the child unresponsive, Toler said.
The child was life-flighted to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Toler said that Hatfield, who was at the scene, was taken into custody without incident.
Sheriff Moses said they are very familiar with the suspect who does have a criminal history. According to Moses his last arrest was in 2010 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Hatfield was interviewed and is now booked into jail. He is charged with first-degree murder. No bond has been set at this time.