Texas Father Gave Infant Gasoline, Wanted to Kill Her: Police Say

A Texas father has been arrested on charges of attempted capital murder after allegedly giving his 4-month-old baby gasoline to drink. Edgar James Bridgemon, 24, was taken into custody over the weekend and is currently being held without bond.

Authorities in Paris, located around 100 miles northeast of Dallas, responded to a residential area on Saturday following reports that a father had intentionally fed his infant daughter gasoline. The Paris Police Department stated that they received a call from Paris Emergency Services regarding the disturbing incident.

Upon arrival, officers observed Bridgemon fleeing the scene on foot. An officer pursued him and was able to apprehend him about a block away from where the original incident occurred. Police later confirmed that Bridgemon confessed to giving his daughter gasoline, claiming he intended to end her life, according to Police Captain Terry Bull.

Bridgemon is charged with attempted capital murder and is currently held at the Lamar County Jail. While the bond for his release is set at $255,000, it remains unclear whether he has secured legal representation at this time. As of Tuesday, official records from Lamar County show that he has not been formally charged with the felony.

Treasured under Texas law, attempted capital murder is classified as a first-degree felony, with a potential prison sentence ranging from five years to life. The case has garnered significant attention and concern within the community due to the severity of the allegations.

The infant is currently recovering after being taken to a local hospital and subsequently transferred to a facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for advanced medical treatment. Captain Bull provided updates, indicating that the baby is improving and remains in the hospital as of the latest reports.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the baby’s mother had briefly allowed Bridgemon to watch their daughter when the incident occurred. The details surrounding the suggestions of his actions remain under scrutiny as police continue their investigation into the case.

Authorities are seeking any additional information regarding the incident and encourage individuals with knowledge of the case to contact the Paris Police Department.

The investigation is still ongoing, and the police have not released further details on potential motives or Bridgemon’s background. Community responses to the news have ranged from shock and disbelief to a call for justice for the minor.

The health and safety of the baby girl are currently the focus, as medical professionals look after her condition during recovery. With the severity of these allegations, the community remains on edge awaiting the next step in the legal proceedings.

As legal processes unfold, the public is left to grapple with the reality of such a heartbreaking situation involving a vulnerable infant and her father.

Authorities have reassured the community that they will follow through on the investigation to ensure justice is served.

Source: USA Today