SAN ANTONIO, TX – The ordeal began inside a San Antonio home, where a 36-year-old woman with autism and disabilities endured a series of violent attacks from her roommate. Authorities say her suffering went unnoticed until a caretaker intervened, exposing months of abuse that left the woman with severe burns and lasting trauma.
Court documents reveal that Kamron Kearney, 28, was sentenced this week to 47 years in prison for a brutal assault that left the victim with extensive injuries. The conviction brings rare accountability in a case that highlights the vulnerabilities faced by disabled adults.
The victim, who reportedly relied on monthly disability benefits and required regular assistance, had lived with Kearney for at least a year, according to investigators. The caretaker, visiting the home in October 2023, discovered the abuse while helping bathe the woman—a routine task that quickly took a horrifying turn.
According to police, Kearney became enraged after the woman had an accident. He responded by heating pitchers of water until they were scalding, then poured the contents over the shower stall while she was inside. The victim sustained burns to her neck and back—a trauma compounded by what followed, as recounted in court testimony.
After the initial attack, prosecutors said Kearney made the woman stand in a corner for an extended period, resulting in swelling of her legs. The violence escalated when he doused her with rubbing alcohol and set her arms on fire, causing serious injuries. Even as the flames were extinguished, the assault continued. Kearney allegedly poured rubbing alcohol on her legs and set them ablaze, inflicting further burns.
Emergency responders arrived after the caretaker contacted police, suspecting the woman was in immediate danger. She was taken for medical treatment and has since been receiving care for her physical and emotional wounds.
Kearney was arrested at the scene and faced charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, causing serious bodily harm, and injury to a disabled person. A jury found him guilty on both counts in December following a multi-day trial that included detailed testimony from medical professionals and witnesses involved in the case.
Investigators later uncovered that Kearney had a history of assault-related convictions dating back several years, with prior charges involving violence against both family members and others. However, court records did not specify whether the disabled woman had connections to his earlier offenses.
Throughout the proceedings, advocates for the disabled community stressed the importance of vigilance and supportive resources to prevent similar incidents of abuse. The outcome, they say, underscores the dangers faced by individuals who are less able to protect themselves.
The woman’s current condition remains private, but officials say she is under close supervision as she continues to recover from the physical and psychological impact of the attack.
Kearney will serve his sentence in a Texas state prison. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office said the punishment sends a strong message about the seriousness of offenses against vulnerable populations.