Man Confesses to Drowning Girlfriend’s Son in Toilet and Hiding Body; Mother Devastated after Tragic Loss in Arkansas
A man from Arkansas has admitted to the murder of his girlfriend’s young son. The child’s body was found buried beneath the floorboards of their home. Authorities have confirmed the guilty plea.
According to a statement from Arkansas State Police, Nathan Bridges, 34, has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and first-degree battery in the tragic death of 5-year-old Blu Rolland. Bridges received a 60-year prison sentence as a result.
Authorities discovered Blu’s remains on December 16, 2022, concealed beneath the floorboards of a residence in Moro, Arkansas. The town is situated approximately 85 miles to the east of Little Rock, according to law enforcement officials. According to authorities, that day would have also marked the boy’s 6th birthday.
According to previous reports, the Arkansas State Police initially stated that the boy’s injuries were likely sustained in the home three months prior. However, an arrest affidavit revealed that the boy was actually drowned in a toilet in the home.
As per the affidavit, which had been previously examined by PEOPLE, the mother of the boy, Ashley Rolland, reportedly informed the deputies that Blu was not present at home when they arrived to carry out a civil standby. According to the affidavit, she later admitted to her father that the boy was deceased and his remains were hidden beneath the recently installed floorboards in their home. According to the affidavit, she reportedly informed her father that the boy had collapsed and passed away.
During their return to the residence, deputies discovered a pair of child’s flip-flops and a blanket concealed beneath the floorboards. Additionally, they detected a foul odor of decay while carefully examining the upper layer of soil, as stated in the affidavit.
During questioning with investigators, Rolland reportedly stated that Blu passed away in September after biting Bridges’ finger. According to the affidavit, Bridges subjected the little boy to a tragic incident that resulted in his drowning.
Rolland and Bridges were subsequently apprehended and faced charges related to Blu’s demise.
Although Bridges has admitted guilt, Rolland, 30, is still awaiting trial in Lee County, according to the police. The individual in question is currently facing multiple charges, including capital murder, permitting child abuse, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, endangering the welfare of a minor, and battery.
It is uncertain whether she has entered a plea, and an attorney who could speak on her behalf has not been immediately identified by PEOPLE.
Following the tragic loss of the boy, a GoFundMe campaign was established to provide assistance to Blu’s grandmother in covering the costs associated with the funeral and other related expenses.
