A Texas father has been arrested and charged after he allegedly gave his 4-month-old son gasoline to drink in an attempt to kill the minor.
Police in Paris, Texas, said the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Edgar Bridgemon, admitted to the crime and told authorities that he deliberately made his son consume the poisonous substance because he wanted to kill him, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reported. Bridgemon has since been charged with attempted capital murder.
Police in a statement said that the Paris Emergency Services on August 10 made an assistance call in the 1300 block of Pine Bluff Street. Officers who responded said they got to know Bridgemon had given his son gasoline to drink. Bridgemon was ultimately arrested after he initially tried to flee the scene.
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The suspect is being detained at the Lamar County Jail, and his bond was set at $255,000, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort reported. Police also said the 4-month old victim was taken to the Paris Regional Medical Center before receiving additional treatment at a different medical facility. Authorities also said the incident is still under investigation.
In June, Face2Face Africa reported that Florida authorities had brought charges against a mother who allegedly put bleach – instead of baby formula – in a bottle and gave it to a family member to feed her 13-month-old child.
Per WPEC, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said the incident happened on January 2, and the relative noticed the bottle 22-year-old Melissa Barnes gave her to feed her baby contained bleach.
HCSO detectives searched the shed where Barnes and her baby were staying after obtaining a warrant. The detectives found bleach-based disinfectant and paint in the shed, leading authorities to ultimately arrest Barnes. She was charged with child abuse and child neglect.
