The child died seven days after paramedics found him unresponsive inside an East James Avenue apartment.
BAYTOWN, Texas — A capital murder case filed in Harris County accuses a Baytown father of causing the death of his 7-week-old son, who died days after paramedics found him without a pulse.
The charge against Christopher Leon Jenkins follows a months-long investigation into the child’s July 2025 injuries. Court documents say the baby was alone with Jenkins shortly before the 911 call. The infant’s mother was nearby in another apartment at the same complex when Jenkins came over and said something was wrong.
Medics were sent July 25 to the complex in the 2500 block of East James Avenue. They found the baby on a mattress, unclothed and not breathing, according to court records. The child was taken to a Baytown hospital, revived, and later moved to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
Doctors there treated the infant for serious head trauma, a brain bleed and cardiac arrest. Court documents say medical staff suspected abuse. The baby died Aug. 1, one week after the emergency call. Investigators later cited an autopsy finding that the child died from blunt force trauma to the head.
The records describe changing statements from Jenkins during the investigation. At first, he said he had gone outside to smoke and returned to find the baby not breathing. Investigators said he later described dropping the baby during a feeding, then changed the account to say the child was dropped after a bath.
Authorities said Jenkins used a doll to show what happened and threw it onto a bed, where it bounced and landed on the floor. Court documents also say Jenkins told investigators he felt angry when the baby cried and that he shook the infant after picking him up from the floor.
A witness account added another detail to the timeline. The witness reported hearing Jenkins yell while the baby cried, then said the crying stopped. Investigators have not said whether anyone else faces charges in the case. The child’s mother has not been accused in the court records cited in the case.
Jenkins was arrested Saturday after the charge was filed Friday. Harris County jail records show he was denied bond. His next court appearance is set to address the capital murder charge and the evidence prosecutors say supports it.
The case remained pending Monday, with Jenkins in custody and no trial date listed in public court records.
Author note: Last updated April 27, 2026.