He Was Just 16 Months Old When He Died. 55 Years Later, His Mother’s Disturbing Letters Came Back to Haunt Her

Mom Accused of Murdering 16-Month-Old Son 55 Years Ago

In a shocking turn of events, Alice Marie Rollinson Bunch Idlett, the mother of 16-month-old Earl Bunch III, who tragically passed away in 1970, has recently been charged with his murder, a staggering 55 years after the incident occurred. The investigation into Earl’s untimely death was sparked by a request from his family in 2022, leading to a renewed inquiry by Sulphur police in Louisiana. Initially, the child’s demise was attributed to injuries sustained from a fall out of a crib and the case was closed due to insufficient evidence. However, upon reopening the investigation, Earl’s remains were exhumed and examined by the FBI, resulting in a forensic autopsy that revealed his death was, in fact, a homicide.

Following the harrowing revelation from the forensic examination, Alice Marie Rollinson Bunch Idlett, now aged 75 and residing in Norwood, La., was formally charged with second-degree murder in connection with her son’s tragic demise on March 27. During the period of Earl’s passing, his father, Earl Bunch Jr., was serving in the Vietnam War. The couple later went on to file for divorce in 1983, with a subsequent child custody ruling in 1985 shedding light on alarming letters penned by Idlett to Earl Jr. while he was stationed in Thailand during the war in 1969. These letters painted a disturbing picture of the troubled relationship between Idlett and her infant son leading up to his death.

In one of the letters dated November 4, 1969, Idlett is reported to have expressed disdain towards her child, writing, “I just got through whipping that little basdard [sic]. I hate him. That’s the honest truth. I can’t stand this life. God had to punish me by letting me have that little brat. I wish I would have died when he was born.” The grim sentiments continued in subsequent letters where she allegedly stated, “I don’t want to be a mother” and bluntly declared, “I feel as if he would die tomorrow I wouldn’t care.” The court ruling also documented the severe injuries Earl III sustained upon being admitted to the hospital in January 1970, including multiple fractures of the skull and right shoulder.

In a chilling revelation, it was disclosed that upon revisiting the letters post-divorce, Earl Jr. contacted the doctor who attended to his son in 1970, discovering distressing details of the toddler’s condition. The medical professional recounted that Earl III had been brought to the hospital in a “comatose condition,” bearing bite marks and burn marks on his body. Alice Marie Rollinson Bunch Idlett currently remains in custody on a bond amounting to $950,000. As the legal proceedings unfold, key questions linger surrounding her plea and legal representation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the enduring pursuit of justice even after decades have passed.

In light of this distressing development, it is paramount to raise awareness about child abuse prevention and reporting mechanisms. Individuals who suspect instances of child abuse are encouraged to reach out to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453 for immediate support and guidance. This solemn episode underscores the importance of vigilance and intervention in safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable individuals within our communities.