2-Year-Old Boy Left in a Permanent Vegetative State After Prolonged Abuse by Mother’s Boyfriend

September 10, 2018

Conroe, TX – On September 2018, Adam Lee Thomas, 28, and Denise Rae Watson, 26, were charged in connection with the prolonged abuse of Watson’s two young children, Thomas Sullivan, 2 & Amery last name undisclosed, 3.

The investigation began on September 3, 2018, after Watson brought her two children to CHI St. Luke’s Health – The Woodlands Hospital. She initially told medical staff the children’s injuries resulted from a series of accidents, including falling down stairs, falling from a toy wagon, and playing too roughly on a slip-and-slide during a family birthday party.

Because of the severity of their injuries, both children were transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital, where they were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit.

Medical staff quickly determined the injuries were inconsistent with the explanations provided. Doctors found fractures, bruising, internal injuries, burns, and other trauma in various stages of healing, indicating the children had been subjected to repeated abuse over an extended period rather than a single incident.

Thomas Sullivan, age two, suffered catastrophic injuries including severe head trauma, multiple rib fractures, fractures to his arm and foot, a lacerated liver, burns, and numerous additional injuries. The abuse left him with permanent physical and cognitive disabilities and in a permanent vegetative state.

His aunt, Sarah Sullivan, later described his condition:

“He breathes on his own, and then he stops. He’s not doing well. He’s going to live, but they said we need to prepare for him to be in this state for the rest of his life.”

Three-year-old Amery also suffered extensive injuries, including severe abdominal trauma requiring surgery, multiple rib fractures, a clavicle fracture, pelvic fractures, and significant internal injuries.

Investigators learned that Watson and Thomas had been living together for approximately six weeks before the children were hospitalized. Hospital personnel advised detectives that several of the children’s fractures were approximately four weeks old, further contradicting Watson’s account that the injuries resulted from recent accidents.

While detectives were interviewing Watson at the hospital, they asked to examine her cell phone. She agreed but requested to call Thomas first. Detectives observed her deleting a text message before surrendering the phone.

A forensic review of the phone uncovered text messages in which Thomas instructed Watson to tell investigators the children had fallen down the stairs. Additional messages instructed her to claim some injuries were self-inflicted and that the family’s dogs were responsible for others.

Investigators also recovered a handwritten list inside Thomas’s work truck containing additional explanations for the children’s injuries.

Thomas denied abusing the children. According to court records, when detectives confronted him about the list discovered in his truck, he became emotional, began crying, grew increasingly reserved, and ultimately ended the interview.

Watson later admitted she had lied to investigators and medical personnel because she feared losing custody of her children.

Her court-appointed attorney, Nicole Czajkoski, stated she believed Thomas was responsible for physically abusing the children.

Charges against Adam Lee Thomas:

• Two counts of Injury to a Child causing Serious Bodily Injury

Charges against Denise Rae Watson:

• Injury to a Child by Omission / Failure to Protect (later resolved by guilty plea)

During the investigation, authorities also learned Thomas had previously been accused of abusing two other young children of similar ages in a comparable manner, including allegations involving burn injuries. Investigators considered this information significant in identifying a broader pattern of abusive behavior.

Sentencing Update

Following a jury trial, Adam Lee Thomas was convicted of two counts of Injury to a Child for the abuse committed in 2017 against Thomas Sullivan and Amery.

Thomas was sentenced to:

• Two life sentences.
• The sentences were ordered to run consecutively.
• Thomas must complete the first life sentence before becoming eligible to begin serving the second.

According to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, evidence presented during trial demonstrated that the abuse occurred repeatedly over several weeks. Medical experts testified that the children’s injuries ranged from days to weeks old and included fractures, burns, severe head trauma, internal injuries, and abdominal injuries requiring surgery.

Prosecutors also presented evidence showing Thomas attempted to conceal the abuse by directing Watson to provide false explanations to doctors and investigators, including claims that the children had been injured in accidental falls.

The District Attorney’s Office further stated that investigators discovered Thomas had previously abused two other young children in a similar manner, including causing burn injuries.

Denise Rae Watson later pleaded guilty to failing to obtain medical care for her children and failing to protect them.

Watson was Sentenced to:

• 20 years in prison.