HOOKS, TX – Authorities in East Texas are searching for a 21-year-old woman accused of causing fatal injuries to her 8-month-old son by submerging him in scalding bathwater following a reported moment of frustration over a soiled diaper.
Police say Jatoria Cleamons, formerly of Texarkana, faces charges of injury to a child and manslaughter in connection to the February 4 death of her son, Courtlyn Cleamons. An arrest warrant was issued Friday, and by Sunday, law enforcement officials said Cleamons remained at large and urged anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact authorities immediately.
Emergency personnel and law enforcement responded to a call for medical assistance at a home in the small community of Hooks, near the Arkansas border. On arrival, medics were already attempting to revive the infant, who had sustained severe burns. Cleamons was reportedly staying with a relative at the time.
An autopsy conducted at the Southwest Institute of Forensics revealed the baby’s cause of death was thermal injuries consistent with scalding. That finding prompted authorities in Hooks to launch a homicide investigation alongside Texarkana Police, expanding their probe into the circumstances that led to the infant’s fatal injuries.
Investigators say Cleamons admitted during questioning to placing her son in a bath of extremely hot water approximately two weeks before his death. She allegedly told police she acted out of frustration after he soiled his diaper, leading to the severe burns that ultimately proved fatal.
Courtlyn Cleamons is remembered by family as a source of joy and love, with an online obituary describing his brief life as filled with light and tenderness. Heartfelt tributes to the baby, including emotional messages posted on social media by his mother, have drawn attention in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The investigation has drawn intense interest from residents in both Hooks and Texarkana, where Cleamons previously resided. Community members have expressed shock and sadness over the details that have surfaced, underscoring ongoing concerns about child safety and the factors contributing to family violence.
Justice of the Peace Jay Wommack ordered the infant’s body sent for forensic examination to clarify his injuries. The conclusion of homicide by thermal injuries cemented the criminal investigation and led to the charges against Cleamons.
Authorities stress the continuing search for Cleamons, warning the public not to approach her but to report any sightings to law enforcement. As of the latest update, she remains wanted and her whereabouts unknown.
Officials continue to ask anyone with information regarding Cleamons’s location or about the case to come forward as they pursue justice for Courtlyn and seek answers in this harrowing case.