02/13/2026
Tiffany Woods, a Louisiana mother convicted of second-degree murder for the 2005 death of her infant son following Hurricane Katrina, has been denied parole. Although the Louisiana State Parole Board recognized her rehabilitation and progress while incarcerated, they denied her release due to the severity of the child's condition and strong opposition from prosecutors.
After evacuating from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Woods, then 25, ran out of baby formula and began feeding her 5-month-old son, Emmanuel, organic cow's milk. The infant died of severe malnutrition in November 2005.
In 2008, Woods and the baby's father were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to mandatory life in prison.
In 2023, former Gov. John Bel Edwards commuted her sentence to 36 years following a recommendation from the state pardon board, making her eligible for parole.
Two of the three parole board members supported her release, praising her, but a unanimous vote was required. Board member Carolyn Stapleton denied the request, citing the "pitiful" condition of the malnourished child and opposition from the Caddo Parish District Attorney's office.
While in prison, Woods earned a bachelor's degree, was not a disciplinary problem, and was described as "low risk".
Woods is now required to wait five years to reapply for parole, though she is projected to be released in 10 years with "good time" credit.
