A Texarkana man is charged with causing the death of a toddler and the child's mother is charged with letting it happen.

Damien Ford,27, is charged with battery first degree, aggravated assault, and battery second degree.

Christopher Dewayne Peoples,2, died at the Smith Keys apartment complex in late April. The cause of death is still undetermined.

Simone Franklin, 23, is also accused of being an accomplice in the serious bodily injury of her child and for not taking any action to prevent the abuse of her child. She's charged with battery first degree and permitting abuse of a minor.

The child's welfare and living conditions have been the subject of past Arkansas Department of Human Services investigations. Previous claims of neglect were found to be false, but the child was once found to have a skull fracture.

Franklin and Ford are in the Bi-State Justice Center where they are awaiting a court appearance to determine if bond will be set.