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Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
A 9-month-old Tyler girl police say suffered violent force trauma at the hands of her father, is clinging to life as her twin brother tries to recover from brain injuries and broken ribs. Their father, Delbert Alonza Kincade, 22, of Troup, is in the Smith County Jail charged with what police define as the unthinkable - first-degree felony injury to a child charges.
"Only thing we can do is pray to God," said Tyler Police Detective Sgt. Destry Walsworth. "These are 9-month-old children and what can they possibly do to deserve anything like this."
Walsworth said the baby girl was found on the living room floor by her mother Friday afternoon. She was in convulsions and having seizures. Her father was the only adult in the apartment on Old Bullard Road.
"The children's mother said she was outside the apartment loading a vehicle to go visit a relative and walked in the apartment and found her daughter on the floor," he said.
Tyler Police Department Public Information Officer Don Martin said the child was taken to a walk-in clinic on South Broadway Avenue by her mother, where they transported the child to East Texas Medical Center.
"The cause of the injuries is due to Kincade (believed to be the paternal father) shaking the baby violently," he said.
Martin said the child was then flown to Children's Hospital in Dallas, where she was listed in critical condition with severe head trauma. Her brother joined her after investigators learned he had also been abused.
Kincade was arrested in Tyler early Tuesday morning and Walsworth said he faces additional charges of abuse.
Martin said the girl has been transported to Baylor Medical Center, where she remains in serious condition. Her brother has been released and placed into foster care within Child Protective Services.
Walsworth said the case of the twins had affected his department.
"Any child being abused is bad, but it's these cases that really get to all of us," said Walsworth, the department's lead criminal investigator.
He explained that this case and the William Stevens case earlier this year were difficult to investigate.
Catherine Alana Stevens, 39, confessed to detectives in early July that she had strangled her son, William. The child's father found his wife over the limp body of his son.
Mrs. Stevens remains jailed, awaiting trial in the case.
Walsworth said the boy might have permanent injuries, but that doctors were optimistic about his recovery. He added the boy's injuries were about 2 weeks old when they were discovered and that is why CPS had taken custody of him temporarily.
"We have to investigate everyone who had contact with the children in the past couple of weeks, but we believe Kincade will face additional charges," he said. "The child being placed in protective care is routine and does not say anything about the other family members."
Kincade remains jailed on $500,000.
Walsworth said the girl's outlook was not as positive as her brother's.
"Doctors have said the left side of her brain is dead and that there is damage to the right side as well. Even if she survives there will more than likely be health and mental issues," he said.
Walsworth paused and said, "Miracles do happen and we should all pray."
http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20070926/NEWS08/709260344
Emphasis added by H4K Editor |