A 23-year-old Arkansas mother and her boyfriend face first-degree murder charges following the death of their 2-month-old son, who suffered fatal head injuries that went untreated for days.
Gabrielle Elaine Ayers was arrested over the weekend and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor in connection with the death of her son, Sebastian Ayers. The child’s father, 23-year-old Timothy Mark Martin, faces identical charges but remains at large.
Emergency responders were called to a residence on South Louisiana Street in Pine Bluff at 7:05 a.m. on January 3, 2025, after receiving reports of an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, paramedics found the baby cold to the touch and immediately began resuscitation efforts.
Martin told responding officers that he had just returned home and attempted to wake both Ayers and the baby when he discovered the infant was not breathing. During CPR attempts guided by a 911 dispatcher, blood reportedly expelled from Sebastian’s left nostril. The child was transported to Jefferson Regional Medical Center, where medical staff pronounced him dead. His body temperature was recorded at 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
The investigation took a significant turn when authorities received information suggesting the infant had sustained visible injuries before his death. A witness provided investigators with a photograph showing extensive facial bruising and swelling so severe that both of the baby’s eyes were swollen shut. These injuries allegedly occurred during the week of Christmas while the child was staying with his parents at a relative’s home.
An autopsy revealed the extent of Sebastian’s injuries, including craniocerebral trauma with a skull fracture and subdural hemorrhage. The medical examiner also documented hemorrhaging in the neck and spinal column. The examiner concluded that these injuries were consistent with inflicted trauma rather than accidental harm.
During questioning, Martin allegedly admitted to striking Sebastian in the face while removing him from a car seat on December 21, 2024. He told investigators he was intoxicated and frustrated at the time of the incident. Martin acknowledged deliberately avoiding medical treatment for the infant to prevent involvement from state authorities.
Ayers confirmed to investigators that she was aware of the incident but also chose not to seek medical care for her son. A female witness who saw Sebastian after the injury reported that the baby appeared injured when Martin brought him to her home. She offered to take the child to a hospital, but Martin refused, claiming he would seek care later. The witness described Martin as having a temper and said she administered Tylenol to the infant in an attempt to alleviate his pain.
Investigators determined that both adults were aware of the child’s serious injuries and consciously chose not to seek medical attention. The decision to file murder charges was based on their failure to obtain care, the severity of the injuries documented in the autopsy, and statements made during the investigation.
Ayers is currently detained at the Jefferson County Detention Center with bond set at $100,000. Court records do not indicate when she is scheduled to appear before a judge. Martin remains at large as authorities continue their search for him.
The case highlights the tragic consequences of failing to seek medical attention for injured children, particularly infants who cannot advocate for themselves.
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