Dad charged with 1st-degree murder in death of 8-month-old son (Midland, Texas)

Dad is identified as IZSEL THOMAS. No mention of a mother in this home.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_c9619caa-ebe6-11e1-bf5b-0019bb2963f4.html

Father charged in 8-month-old son’s death

Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2012 6:20 pm

By James Cannon | Online Editor Midland Reporter-Telegram

A 19-year-old Midlander was arrested Tuesday evening in connection with the June 4 death of his 8-month-old son.

Izsel Thomas is being held on a $1 million bond for a first-degree felony charge of murder. Details were limited as of press time Tuesday evening, but more information is expected to be released following Thomas’ initial hearing today.

Midland police and firefighters were dispatched to the Ranchland Apartments on the 1200 block of Wadley Avenue at about 6 p.m. June 4 in reference to an accidental drowning. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found that 8-month-old Alston Thomas had died, said Persephone Dakopolos, Midland’s public information officer.

An investigation began and the child’s body was sent to a coroner for an autopsy. The autopsy revealed that Alston Thomas died as a result of blunt-force trauma to the base of his head and neck as the child came into contact with a curved object, Dakopolos said of the autopsy results.

The report concluded the injuries were inconsistent with Thomas’ story and were more severe than injuries caused by a fall.

A warrant was issued and Thomas was arrested without incident on Tuesday. Thomas is being held at the Midland County Central Detention Center. His $1 million bond was set by Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Judge Billy Johnson.

If convicted of the first-degree felony charge of murder, Thomas could face between five and 99 years in prison. R