A one-year-old Beaumont child is in critical condition at a Houston hospital after suffering significant exterior and internal injuries, and a 28-year-old man has been charged with a first-degree felony. Beaumont police arrested Howard Dewayne Walker on Thursday after investigators from the department’s Special Crimes team acquired a warrant alleging child injury resulting in serious bodily harm, according to 12NewsNow. The investigation began on Tuesday and continues as detectives attempt to determine what caused the child’s injuries.
According to 12NewsNow, detectives were dispatched to a residence on Tuesday, when the injured toddler was discovered. The boy was brought to a local hospital before being evacuated to Houston for specialized care, where he remains in critical condition.
Walker is charged with causing serious physical harm to a kid and has been put into the Jefferson County Correctional Facility. The sheriff’s website provides public inmate data and booking information.
Under Texas law, the charge of child injury resulting in serious physical injury is a first-degree felony. According to Texas Penal Code §22.04 and state sentencing statutes, a conviction can result in five to 99 years or life in prison, as well as fines of up to $10,000.
Beaumont police say the probe isn’t over. Detectives are combing the neighborhood and following leads while the case is still open, and they are seeking the public for assistance.
Anyone with information should contact the Beaumont Police Department at (409) 832-1234 or Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at 409-833-TIPS (8477), according to 12NewsNow.
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