Last Wednesday, a Jefferson County grand jury handed up indictments in a disturbing case involving a roughly 2½‑year‑old Beaumont girl who arrived at the hospital with a severely broken femur and other injuries that doctors said did not line up with normal childhood play. The child was flown to Children's Memorial Hermann in Houston for surgery and ongoing care.
According to Fox San Antonio, 32‑year‑old Christopher Elam was indicted on a first‑degree count of injury to a child for allegedly causing the femur fracture. The child’s mother, 26‑year‑old Laquarius Living, was also indicted, accused of delaying medical treatment and giving investigators misleading statements. Authorities say both now face a possible sentence of up to life in prison if convicted.
Affidavit And Medical Findings
Medical imaging and clinicians' notes summarized in a probable‑cause affidavit describe a displaced, transverse fracture of the proximal right femur, a high‑force injury that required surgery and a spica cast, along with facial bruising and a healing left clavicle fracture estimated at about a month old, as reported by the Beaumont Enterprise. Hospital staff told investigators that the pattern and severity of the girl’s injuries were not consistent with ordinary childhood accidents.
Investigators say text messages and interviews became key to building the case. Police allege Elam told Living in messages that he struck the child and instructed her to put ice on the injury, and several siblings reported hearing what sounded like punching and said the victim told them, "Chris hit me," according to Fox San Antonio. The affidavit states that Living waited about two days after learning of the injury before taking the toddler to the hospital.
Charges And The Law
Both Elam and Living were indicted on Injury to a Child, which is charged as a first‑degree felony under Texas law when the conduct causes serious bodily injury. As set out in Section 22.04 of the Texas statutes, and in the punishment provisions of Section 12.32 in the same Texas statutes, a first‑degree felony carries a potential sentence of five to 99 years or life in prison, plus fines.
Investigation Status
Beaumont police say the Special Crimes Unit took over the case after hospital staff alerted authorities on April 8, and warrants were issued before the grand jury returned the indictments. Both suspects were booked into the Jefferson County jail, local reporting shows. Child Protective Services has placed the girl's four older siblings with relatives while detectives continue to gather evidence, according to the Beaumont Enterprise.
The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office will prosecute the case, and the Special Crimes investigation remains active. Court dates have not yet been announced. Authorities have not released further details and are asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement as the case moves toward arraignment and pretrial proceedings.
