Baytown, Texas — A 26-year-old man in Baytown, Texas, has been charged with capital murder following the death of his 7-week-old son, an incident authorities describe as deeply disturbing and tragic.
According to investigators, emergency responders were called to an apartment in Baytown after reports of an infant who was not breathing. When medics arrived, the child was found unresponsive, with no pulse. Despite efforts to save him, the infant was pronounced dead.
Police say the child had been in the sole care of his father, Christopher Jenkins, at the time of the incident. The child’s mother was reportedly in a nearby apartment with a family member when she was alerted and made the emergency call.
During the investigation, authorities allege that Jenkins initially told officers he found the child unconscious after the baby had been sleeping. However, as the inquiry progressed, investigators say his account changed.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Jenkins later admitted to handling the infant in a violent manner after becoming overwhelmed by the child’s crying. Investigators used a specialized infant demonstration tool, commonly referred to as a SUIDI (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Investigation) doll, during a walkthrough at the apartment. Authorities say Jenkins demonstrated how he threw the child onto a bed, after which the infant allegedly fell to the floor.
Police further allege that he then picked up the child and shook him while attempting to check if he was still alive. Officials noted that there was a delay before emergency services were contacted.
An autopsy later determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.
A neighbor who spoke with investigators reported hearing the father yelling at the infant on prior occasions and recalled at least one earlier interaction that raised concerns about how the child was being handled.
Jenkins was taken into custody and booked into the Harris County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. The case remains under investigation.
Authorities have not released further details at this time.
