Couple charged in death of son, injury to baby

A Kyle couple has been charged with capital murder in connection with the July 4 death of their 21-month-old son. They also face injury to a child charges related to their eight-month-old daughter.

Stevie Dwayne Williams, 24, and Dazrine Ruth Chagoya-Williams, 20, were taken into custody Monday, and each is being held under bonds totaling $250,000.

Police, EMS and fire department personnel responded to the family’s home in the 300 block of Marquitos Drive just past 6 p.m. on July 4 for a report of a child unconscious and not breathing. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and first responders immediately suspected something was amiss.

“Officers observed visible injuries on the victim’s body, including bruising on his left and right rib area, bruising on his back and bruising on his forehead,” Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said.

The next day, authorities revisited the home and took the couple’s daughter, who was also found to have significant injuries.

According to affidavits of probable cause for the couple’s arrest, an autopsy revealed the boy had sustained severe abuse. A Child Protective Services report of the earlier abouse detailed multiple broken bones including ribs, wrist and forearm, and burns “to his foot, leg and genitals from hot water.” 

Previously, the boy had been removed from the home for 11 months because of abuse, but returned after his parents had completed parenting classes. After his return home,  (CPS) monitored the family for three months. Three months after that, he was dead.

The baby girl was found to have also had multiple rib fractures in addition to a skull fracture and a lacerated kidney.

According to an affidavit sought by Kyle Police Officer Pedro Carrasco Jr., the children’s father told investigators that “something unworldly” had happened to the children, tossing out the words “demons” and “evil.” Carrasco noted that he was unable to question either suspect further because they had retained attorneys.

The case is capital murder because the victim was under the age of 10.

Capital murder is punishable by life in prison or death. There has been no word on what penalty prosecutors may pursue in the case.