A Texas mother is accused of killing her 8-month-old baby by plunging him into a bath of scalding water after becoming frustrated because he soiled his diaper, leaving the infant with burns and injuries that killed him, according to police.
According to the Hooks Police Department, Jatoria Cleamons, 21, formerly of Texarkana, is charged with injury to a child and manslaughter in connection with her son Courtlyn Cleamons’ death on February 4. Police announced on Saturday that they were looking to arrest her.
“If anyone sees Cleamons or knows of her whereabouts, please call 911 and advise law enforcement,” according to a news release.
According to local CBS affiliate KSLA, officers and deputies from the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home at 100 Kennedy Circle in Hooks for a medic assist call that day and discovered medical responders performing CPR on Courtlyn when they arrived. Cleamons allegedly stayed with a relative.
According to KSLA, Justice of the Peace Jay Wommack ordered Courtlyn’s body to be sent to the Southwest Institute of Forensics for an autopsy, which determined his cause of death to be thermal injuries (scalding).
A homicide investigation was launched, and Hooks Police worked with detectives from the Texarkana Texas Police Department to investigate and question Cleamons.
She allegedly admitted to giving her son a very hot bath while living in Texarkana about two weeks before his death. According to KSLA, she expressed frustration with him as a result of the accident.
“Though his time on earth was brief, Courtlyn brought immense joy, love, and light to those who knew him,” according to an online funeral notice. “His sweet presence will forever be cherished in the hearts of his family.”
Cleamons allegedly made several Facebook posts about her son’s death in the aftermath of what happened. “Rest in love, my baby,” she wrote in the caption of a Facebook Reel featuring Courtlyn photos.
“I love you so much and I miss you so much my heart is so broken,” Cleamons told her. “I will always think of you. “Rest in Heaven, my love.”
Warrants for Cleamons’ arrest were issued Friday, and she remained at large Sunday afternoon.
