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Still no arrests one year after toddler's killing; family wants answers, tougher laws

1 year 3 weeks 2 days ago Wednesday, April 12 2023 Apr 12, 2023 April 12, 2023 9:25 PM April 12, 2023 in News
Source: WBRZ

BATON ROUGE - April 12 marks one year since 3-year-old Devin Page Jr. was killed by a stray bullet while sleeping in his crib.

Wednesday, a memorial was held to honor the toddler at Town Square. The family of Devin told WBRZ it has been a year full of grief, and stress.

"A year later, and it was like it was yesterday. Like it was an hour ago, when Tye called me on the phone and said 'mama, they killed my baby,'" Cathy Toliver, Devin's grandmother told WBRZ.

Tye Toliver, Devin's mother, says there will always be a void now that Devin is no longer here.

"I always look at my other two kids and I say, 'something is missing.' It's my middle child who completes the three of them," Tye said.

The traumatic night Devin was killed is something his 10-year-old brother Tyren Young still remembers.

"I just woke up, I hear my mom screaming and then I was crying for no reason. Then I got out of bed and I see my brother dead. It was just hurtful for me to see that because I'm just a kid," Young said.

Devin's family is using his memory to propel a law that aims to deter violent crime. 

Devin's Law was originally passed in the Metro Council in September of 2022, five months after Page's death. The law, which in its original form would have required more lighting, security cameras, and information about crime rates in the area to be provided to tenants of rental properties, was watered down before it was ultimately passed. 

Now, Devin's Law only requires landlords to provide adequate lighting in areas around rental properties as well as information about crime rates in the area. The requirement for security cameras was ultimately dropped, but with the Page-Rice Camera Initiative, officials are making sure cameras are present in high-crime areas. 

Wednesday, Page's family told WBRZ they aim to make Devin's Law statewide. 

HB 606 proposed by Representative Edmond Jordan reads that the "proposed law requires that any owner, property manager, or property management company shall provide proper security cameras and lighting on their residential properties."

Cathy Toliver told WBRZ that the proposed state law would be "firmer" than the local law. 

In the meantime, the family is still hoping Devin's killer is found. Baton Rouge Police told WBRZ Wednesday they have no new information on Devin's killing.

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