2012-07-03 Henderson

Potter grand jury indicts Dumas man in child's death

A Potter County grand jury indicted a Dumas man on an injury to a child charge after authorities said he shook a toddler hours before the child died in July.

Authorities charged Derek Dwayne Henderson, 31, with injury to a child after the July 3 death of Jalen Hall-Mayes, 2.

Jalen died at Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital of head and brain trauma, according to a criminal complaint.

The indictment against Henderson was released Tuesday.^[1]

Henderson shook the toddler, authorities said.

About 8:45 p.m. July 3, Jalen's mother left

the toddler, who was in good health, in Henderson's care, she told police. About 30 minutes later, Henderson called the mother and told her something was wrong with Jalen, the complaint said.

The mother rushed home to find Jalen unconscious and raced to BSA, where the child died at 10:15 p.m., authorities said.

An autopsy by Dr. Thomas Parsons found Jalen died of "cranio-cerebral trauma that is inconsistent with a fall or an accident and is consistent with shaking the baby," the complaint said.

Child Protective Services regional spokesman Paul Zimmerman had said neither the child nor the mother had prior CPS history. The charge carries a possible prison term of two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 fine.

Henderson remains free on a $50,000 bond.

Suspect in child's death posts bond

 A man charged with injury to a child in the wake of an Amarillo toddler's death last week posted bond Wednesday, Amarillo police said.^[2]

Authorities charged Derek Dwayne Henderson, 31, with injury to a child following the July 3 death of Jalen Hall-Mayes, 2.

Jalen died at Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital from head and brain trauma, according to a criminal complaint filed late Tuesday.

Henderson, who was arrested at his place of employment by Cactus police, shook the child, authorities said.

Henderson was booked into the Moore County jail on $50,000 bond, and he posted bond Wednesday, jail officials said.

Jalen's mother told police she left the toddler, who was in good health, in Henderson's care about 8:45 p.m. July 3, court records show.

Nearly 30 minutes later, Henderson called the mother to tell her something was wrong with the child, a criminal complaint said.

The mother raced home to find Jalen unconscious, records said. The toddler was rushed to BSA, where he died at 10:15 p.m.

An autopsy by Dr. Thomas Parsons found Jalen died of "cranio-cerebral trauma that is inconsistent with a fall or an accident and is consistent with being shaken," the complaint said.

If convicted of the second- degree felony, Henderson could face two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Amarillo police continue to investigate the death, officials said.

Lt. Erick Bohannon, Potter-Randall Special Crimes Unit coordinator, would not disclose details of the investigation. Jalen's mother declined to comment.

Child Protective Services is also investigating the incident.

Neither the mother nor the child have had prior CPS history, regional spokesman Paul Zimmerman said.

Jalen's surviving twin brother was voluntarily placed with relatives while the agency's investigation continues, he said.