An Arkansas man, aged 34, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison after confessing to the murder of his girlfriend’s 5-year-old son. Nathan Bridges admitted to drowning the child in a toilet bowl as a reaction to the boy biting his finger. The incident occurred after Bridges intentionally put his finger in the child’s mouth. The sentencing was handed down by State Circuit Court Judge Danny Glover, according to court documents.
Bridges pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree battery in the death of the young boy, Blu Rolland. The court ordered Bridges to serve 40 years for the murder charge and an additional 20 years for the battery charge, with the sentences to be served consecutively.
The child’s mother, Ashley Rolland, 30, was also implicated in her son’s death and is currently awaiting trial. She faces a series of felony charges, including capital murder, permitting child abuse, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, child endangerment, and battery.
The case came to light on December 16 when Rolland’s parents sought help from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to collect their two grandchildren from Rolland’s residence. Rolland presented her daughter but claimed that Blu was not at home. The girl had noticeable scabbing on her head, which Rolland attributed to an allergic reaction.
Upon arrival, first responders were informed by Rolland’s father that his granddaughter had told him Blu was dead and inside the house. Deputies discovered a recently boarded area in the house, under which they found disturbed earth, a child’s flip-flop shoes, and a blanket. The discovery released a strong odor of decay.
The Arkansas State Police were called in to take over the investigation. A search warrant was executed, and the floorboards were removed, revealing a small body wrapped in plastic bags and a blanket. The body was later confirmed to be Blu’s by the Arkansas State Crime Lab.
In a subsequent interview, Rolland revealed that Blu had died on September 9, 2022, after biting Bridges’ finger. She stated that Bridges had drowned Blu in the toilet as punishment. She also claimed that Bridges was responsible for her daughter’s injuries, alleging that he had held the girl under hot water in the bathtub as punishment for behavioral issues. Rolland is scheduled to appear in court again on September 17, 2024.