A 51-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested on a count of first-degree murder Saturday in connection with the disappearance of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, who is believed to be dead but whose body has not been found.
NEW DETAILS: Teen was beaten to death in fight with suspect, who then hid evidence, Baton Rouge police say
Baton Rouge Police apprehended Maurice Parms at his house Saturday morning. He already was facing counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and computer-aided solicitation of a minor.
Minnieweather was last seen around 2 a.m. June 5 on Bradley Street in the Foster and Winbourne area, police said. Evidence suggests his body was disposed of after he was beaten to death, according to police.
During the investigation into the teen's disappearance, police came into contact with a 16-year-old girl. Using a search warrant for the juvenile’s phone, police found messages between her and Parms along with several Cash App payments from Parms to the girl.
Police Chief T.J. Morse said police gathered additional evidence on the previous 24 hours, executing three search warrants at locations in town.
Morse spoke Saturday night as Parms was transported to the parish prison.
On Wednesday, police along with Mayor-President Sid Edwards held a news conference where they announced they would pay a $10,000 reward to anyone with information on Minnieweather’s disappearance.
“We are still asking for the community’s help,” Morse said Saturday, noting that his office has received helpful evidence from the public since the Wednesday news conference.
“Now, the focus shifts for us to bringing Ja’Derrius home for his family,” Morse added.
Edwards, who was also present Saturday, thanked residents for their help.
“They stepped up,” Edwards said. “Without them, today may not have happened. People are speaking. They’re doing the right thing.
“If you hurt one of our babies in Baton Rouge, we’re going to get you,” Edwards added. “It’s not if we’re going to get you, it’s when we’re going to get you.”
The 16-year-old girl told police earlier this week that she and Parms had started messaging each other in September 2025 using the app Text Now. The most recent messages were in April, police said.
In the messages, Parms repeatedly told the teen that he loved her and called his 7-year-old daughter the girl’s “stepdaughter.” The teen told police that she had met up with Parms multiple times at his home and his white truck and black SUV.