ABILENE, TX - Teliea Thomas, a resident of Abilene, is facing charges in connection with the death of her 22-month-old son, Dairess Fuller, Jr., who died of malnutrition on May 22, 2020.
Thomas has been charged with injury to a child.
Information from police reports states that officers responded to an injured subject call on that fateful day, discovering the toddler unresponsive.
Despite immediate efforts, Dairess Fuller, Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.
Court documents reveal the child exhibited signs of severe malnutrition and had noticeable bruises under his eyes.
Both parents, Teliea Thomas and Dairess Fuller, Sr., were present at the time of the incident.
An investigation has since unveiled a troubling history surrounding the child's health and care.
Dairess, Jr., born prematurely in 2018, had been removed from the care of Thomas by Child Protective Services.
All three of Thomas' children were relocated to live with their aunt, Lameka Lowe.
Lowe, responsible for Dairess, Jr.'s care, observed the child's difficulties with swallowing, leading to a medical diagnosis of Subglottic Stenosis, a narrowing of the airway below the vocal cords and above the trachea.
Subsequently, Dairess, Jr. was equipped with a G-tube to aid in feeding.
Requiring around-the-clock care, the child had nurses assisting at the home.
In an effort to ensure proper care, Thomas moved in with Lowe, where nurses provided instruction on the operation of the medical equipment Dairess, Jr. depended on.
Over time, the child's health improved, with referrals to occupational, physical, and speech therapy.
In a turn of events around September 2019, Lowe returned home to find that Thomas had relocated to Abilene with the three children.
Detectives, through medical records, discovered that by October 2019, Dairess, Jr. weighed a mere 18.6 pounds.
Documents further detail Thomas' deviation from the prescribed treatment plan for Dairess, Jr., missing crucial checkups and therapy appointments.
Thomas eventually requested his discharge from therapy, citing concerns related to Covid and reported issues with her pregnancy.
Tragically, an autopsy revealed that Dairess, Jr.'s death was a result of homicide due to malnutrition, with the child weighing only 15.8 pounds at the time of examination.
Both parents shared responsibility for the child's physical and medical well-being while residing together.
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