Kristen Fulcher claimed she never wanted her young daughter, Ansleigh Boatman, in the custody of her father, Joseph Boatman. But according to her, she had no choice but to follow a judge’s order. Kristen Fulcher lives in Texas, but Ansleigh was spending the summer with her dad in Hammond, Louisiana, when she died. Now, her father faces murder charges, and her mother must grapple with a devastating loss.
According to a statement from St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call around noon June 9, 2025. Investigators learned Boatman allegedly strapped the 21-month-old into her car seat at a family member’s residence around 2:30 a.m. and walked away. A relative discovered her body more than nine hours later.
“After strapping the toddler in her car seat, Boatman went back inside the residence and never returned to the vehicle. It was also learned that prior to Boatman arriving to pick up his daughter, he had consumed multiple alcoholic beverages,” the sheriff’s office reported.
Deputies arrested Boatman, who faces second-degree murder charges in Ansleigh’s death.
Lisa Fulcher, a grandmother figure to Ansleigh, said Kristen Fulcher never wanted her daughter with Boatman, WDSU reported. In order to receive child support, Kristen Fulcher entered into a custody agreement, Lisa Fulcher said. Boatman is reportedly a registered sex offender in Texas and allegedly had difficulty finding a job. Family said he moved to Louisiana for work.
“She feels like she failed her,” Lisa Fulcher told WDSU. “She feels like it’s her fault.”
Lisa Fulcher added her frustration and said the judge never should have given Boatman custody.
Kristen Fulcher shared photos of Ansleigh on Facebook along with a message to friends and family.
“The most beautiful angel. I’ll love you forever. Nanny & papas got you now baby. Jesus needed you more,” the grieving mother wrote. “Yall please pray for me to live the days without my baby, pray for my babies to find comfort in losing their sister. & pray for me to find the will to move on, because this is so hard.”
“I am praying so hard for you and the family right now. I cant imagine the pain you and the family are going through. I am so sorry for your loss,” a friend commented on the post.
“You are a strong, strong mama, you have loved and provided wonderfully for these kiddos. She needs you to keep being the best mama you can be for the rest of the babies,” another loved one shared. “Her sweet smile will forever paint the sunsets. Praying for you so hard.”
Sheriff Randy Smith shared condolences with the family in the department’s statement.
“This is a devastating loss that no family ever wants to face,” he said. “When a child is left in a vehicle, especially on a day when the heat index climbs over 100 degrees, the outcome can turn deadly in a matter of minutes. This case involved compromised judgment, and the result was heartbreaking.”
According to online records, officials booked Boatman in St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center, where a judge set his bond at $750,000.
