A Texas couple blamed “demons” and “not worldly” forces for the recent death of their two-year-old son and for injuries authorities found on their eight-month-old daughter. However, the evidence told a different story and local law enforcement charged these young parents with capital murder.
Kyle police arrested Stevie Dwayne Williams, 24, and Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams, 20, on Monday and charged them with capital murder of a person under 10 years old as well as injury to a child. Both were booked into Hays County Jail with bail set at $250,000 each.
Police Chief Jeff Barnett said officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from the family’s home in the early evening on the Fourth of July holiday. When they arrived, law enforcement agents found the toddler lying in a front hallway. They said the boy was unresponsive and not breathing. According to the arrest warrant, police noticed bruises on the child’s ribs, back, and forehead. Firefighters also responded to the medical emergency call. They tried to save the little boy’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
In an initial police interview, Chagoya-Williams insisted the boy did not have any bruises on him when he went to sleep that night. She said her husband found the toddler dead when he went into his room. Chagoya-Williams told detectives what happened was that “something not worldly” attacked her son. When questioned, Williams also said “demons” and “evil” were responsible for taking the child’s life, according to the affidavit. Kyle Police Detective Pedro Carrasco told KXAN: “It is unusual to hear that type of explanation.”
Kyle investigators learned the family had a history with Child Protective Services (CPS). Court documents indicated during the spring of 2017 the boy was removed from the care of his parents for nearly a year after he was found to have cracked ribs, a fractured wrist, and burns on his “foot, leg and genitals from hot water.” The couple regained custody of their son after they completed parenting classes six months ago. CPS monitored the family up until three months ago.
“This type of case is very difficult,” added Carrasco.
On July 4, Kyle detectives brought the couple and their eight-month-old daughter to Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin for examination. According to the Austin American Statesman, a skeletal survey revealed the girl had 20 separate fractures, including in her skull and ribs, and a lacerated kidney. Subsequently, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services removed the infant from the Williams home and placed her in foster care.
Some neighbors said they were “shocked” to learn the tragic news, commenting they knew Williams and Chagoya-Williams and thought they seemed like good parents who were often seen outside playing with their children. Likewise, Williams’ mother defended her son and daughter-in-law. She said she visited with the children several times a week and never noticed anything of concern. She stated: “My son would never harm his son.”
She also called the young couple “the best of parents” and dismissed the accusation that the couple abused their two children as “ludicrous.”
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