Beaumont Man Arrested for Severely Beating 1-Year-Old Child

Beaumont, Texas – A 28-year-old man is in custody after a one-year-old girl was found in critical condition with severe internal and external injuries, according to the Beaumont Police Department.

On December 16, 2025, officers were called to a local hospital where they discovered a toddler exhibiting clear signs of physical abuse. The injuries were so extensive that the child had to be airlifted to a specialized hospital in Houston, where she remains in critical condition.

The Suspect and Charges

Detectives from the Special Crimes Unit conducted an investigation that led to the identification of Howard Dewayne Walker, 28, as the suspect. Walker is the boyfriend of the child’s mother.

Arrest Date: Thursday, December 18, 2025
Charge: Injury to a Child – Serious Bodily Injury
Offense Level: First-Degree Felony
Current Location: Walker has been booked into the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.

Potential Legal Penalties

Under Texas Penal Code § 22.04, causing serious bodily injury to a child intentionally or knowingly is a first-degree felony. If convicted, Walker could face:

Imprisonment: 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
Fines: Up to $10,000.
Additional Consequences: Permanent loss of child custody rights and lifetime restrictions on working with children or vulnerable populations.