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Two arrested for capital murder of child in Levelland

LEVELLAND, Texas — Samantha Dawn Mathis, 25, and Robert Jose Garza, Jr., 30, were arrested Tuesday on a capital murder charge – more specifically capital murder of a person under 10 years of age. Both were held Wednesday on a bond of $500,000 in the Hockley County Jail.

According to Levelland Police Chief, Albert Garcia, an unresponsive 2-year-old child was brought Tuesday to the Covenant Levelland Emergency Room with various injuries.


“The mother is actually the one who transported the young child to Covenant Hospital here in Levelland,” Chief Garcia said. “He had several indications of bruising all over his body. When we arrived on scene we just didn’t quite believe her story as far as what she was telling us and how this young baby had sustained all of these injuries.”

Chief Garcia said the child was transported to UMC where he later passed away. Mathis was described as the child’s mother, and Garza lived with Mathis and her boys. The couple had been dating for six months.

At 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, Levelland Police said, “Officers are attempting to locate this subject regarding an arrest warrant for Capital Murder.” About an hour later, Levelland PD said Garza was found and arrested without incident.

EverythingLubbock.com reached out to the district attorney for more information. District Attorney Angela Overman said no comment.

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