A tragic case in Texas has taken another turn as a 17-year-old girl and her boyfriend have both been charged in connection with the death of her 8-year-old brother.
Teen and Boyfriend Arrested
Kara Walker, 17, was arrested on Wednesday, August 27, by the Harris County Violent Crimes Apprehension Team. Her arrest comes five months after her boyfriend, 18-year-old Nolan Stallings, was charged in the same case.
Authorities confirmed that neither teen faces homicide charges. Instead, both are being tried for the felony of injury to a child.
What Happened to the Boy
On February 10, Walker and Stallings rushed the unresponsive boy to Baytown Methodist Hospital in Harris County. Doctors noted injuries that pointed to possible abuse. Despite treatment, the child died five days later.
Initially, Stallings claimed the boy had been hurt in a fall. However, hospital staff raised concerns that the explanation did not match his injuries. An autopsy later revealed that the boy had died due to blunt force trauma.
Signs of Abuse
Court records reviewed by multiple news outlets alleged that the 8-year-old had been “abused and tortured over several days.” Investigators believe the abuse occurred at a home on Greendell Street in the Highlands area.
Charges and Bonds
Nolan Stallings was arrested in March and charged with injury to a child. His bond is set at $1 million.
Kara Walker was arrested in late August and booked into county jail with her bond set at $100,000.
Though neither has been charged with murder, “injury to a child” is a serious felony under Texas law.
Ongoing Investigation
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said the delay between Stallings’ arrest in March and Walker’s arrest in August was due to the ongoing collection of evidence, but did not provide more details.
Community Shock
The disturbing details of the child’s abuse and death have left the community shaken. The case underscores the challenges authorities face in child abuse investigations and the devastating consequences when warning signs are missed.
The death of an 8-year-old boy in Harris County remains a deeply troubling case, with both his sister and her boyfriend now facing felony charges.
While homicide charges have not been filed, the accusations of prolonged abuse paint a horrifying picture of what the child endured. As the case moves forward, the community awaits justice for the young victim.
