In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Wayne, Michigan, 30-year-old Chelsea Renee Duperon has been charged with the brutal murder of her eight-year-old daughter, Laya Castle. Newly released police bodycam footage from March 16, 2024, captures the chilling moments as officers responded to a 911 call reporting a child unresponsive in the home. Upon entering, police discovered Laya in a bed, her injuries so severe that officials would later describe her as unrecognizable.
Initially, Duperon claimed that Laya had fallen down the basement stairs, but the evidence soon contradicted this assertion. Medical examiners determined that Laya’s injuries were not consistent with a fall and likely resulted from repeated and brutal abuse. Prosecutors revealed that Laya had been gravely injured days prior, with Duperon delaying the call for help for three days. During this time, instead of seeking medical attention for her daughter, she went shopping for items that included liquor and diapersâsuggesting Laya was so incapacitated from her injuries that she could not use the bathroom independently.
As officers began their investigation, Duperon’s story quickly fell apart. When confronted about the inconsistencies in her account, she pivoted to an astonishing claim: that “evil spirits” compelled her to harm her daughter. This bizarre defense became central to the case, with Duperon asserting she had blacked out during the incident, allegedly triggered by a vision of a woman in the basement who disapproved of the music they were listening to.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, Duperon maintained her innocence, insisting that the supernatural played a role in the tragedy. During questioning, she appeared disoriented and offered increasingly nonsensical explanations, claiming she had no memory of the assault and attributing her injuries to a supernatural encounter.
Ultimately, the prosecution built a compelling case against Duperon, highlighting her alarming behavior leading up to the incident, including the shopping spree while her daughter lay dying. Facing life in prison, she eventually changed her plea to guilty, expressing remorse for her daughter’s death during her sentencing.
In a poignant statement to the court, Duperon reflected on her memories of Laya, describing her as a loving, caring child who filled her life with joy. âIt feels like just yesterday I found out I was having a baby girl,â she said, recalling moments of happiness shared with her daughter.
Judge Shereice Anderson sentenced Chelsea Duperon to 28 to 50 years in prison for the murder of Laya Castle, a tragic conclusion to a case that has left a community reeling. As the details of this horrific crime continue to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children and the grave consequences of familial betrayal.
