HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A 25-year-old man is facing felony charges in connection with the beating death of an infant in Harris County and the sexual assault of a girl.
Cortez Tiaral Evans is charged with injury to a child and super aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 6.
Evans was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Missouri on Tuesday, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. He will be extradited back to Harris County.
Injury to a child
According to Gonzalez, Evans was taking care of his girlfriend's child, 6-month-old Messiah Burger, at a residence in the 5600 block of Aldine Bender Road.
On June 13, deputies responded to the home after receiving reports of an infant who was not breathing, Gonzalez said.
Messiah was pronounced dead at an area hospital. According to Gonzalez, the child suffered several internal injuries and severe head trauma. Court documents say Evans beat Messiah with his hands and also used a blunt object.
He was officially charged with injury to a child on Sept. 20.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Messiah as a 7-month-old girl.
Super aggravated sexual assault of a child
According to court documents, investigators on Messiah's case interviewed a girl about Evans on July 8.
The girl told investigators Evans sexually assaulted her multiple times when she was 5, court documents said.
On Aug. 25, Evans was charged with super aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 6.
Resources for victims of domestic or family violence
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24-hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.
Or text LOVEIS to 22522.
