KIRBY, Texas – In the wake of the arrest of Rex Hollins, 34, in a child injury case, Kirby police offered the following advice to anyone who might be frustrated by a crying baby.
“Walk away. Count to 10,” Detective Michael Alonzo said. “There are other options.”
Alonzo has been one of the lead investigators in the case involving Hollins, who was arrested Monday.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Hollins admitted that he shook his 6-month-old son and slammed him down in a swing when the infant wouldn’t stop crying.
Kirby police got involved in the case after the baby was rushed to Children’s Hospital of San Antonio last Wednesday. The affidavit stated that doctors determined he suffered bleeding on his brain, broken ribs and a broken leg.
The infant underwent surgery to help relieve swelling on his brain. Doctors believe some of the injuries were suffered at a prior date, the affidavit stated.
“Maybe the child was abused before this incident,” Alonzo said.
The affidavit stated that when Hollins was questioned, he initially told police he found his son choking and attempted to perform CPR. Later he confessed to shaking him.
"You're talking about a 6-month-old defenseless child, and the child did nothing to deserve this, other than cry,” Alonzo said.
As of Tuesday morning, the baby remained in critical but stable condition at the hospital. Alonzo said he is expected to survive but, most likely, will need care for the rest of his life.
Hollins is being held on a charge of injury to a child. His bond was set at $75,000.
Outside the family’s home Tuesday morning, unidentified relatives refused to talk about the case and ordered a KSAT 12 News crew to leave the area. Police said family members, including the mother of the baby, are not convinced that Hollins did anything to harm the child.
“It’s something they’re going to have to come to terms with,” he said. “Medical evidence doesn’t lie.”