Pattern of Harm

Sentencing Update: See original story here

Conroe, TX — A Conroe man has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the severe and prolonged abuse of two young children, which left one child in a permanent vegetative state, according to a release from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

Adam Lee Thomas was convicted of two counts of injury to a child. The court ordered the life sentences to be served consecutively, meaning Thomas will not begin serving the second sentence unless he is granted parole from the first, the release stated.

Thomas was found responsible for inflicting serious bodily harm to a two-year-old and a three-year-old in 2017. Both children required emergency treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit at a hospital in the Houston Medical Center, the release said.

According to the release, the two-year-old suffered severe head trauma, rib fractures, arm and foot fractures, a liver laceration, burns, and multiple other injuries. The three-year-old sustained severe abdominal trauma that required surgery, as well as rib fractures, a clavicle fracture, multiple pelvic fractures, and additional injuries.

Sarah Sullivan, the children’s aunt, stated that the younger child’s injuries left him in a vegetative state and that he is unlikely to recover.

Medical evaluations determined that the injuries were inflicted over an extended period, with wounds at various stages of healing. Investigators concluded the abuse had been ongoing, according to the release.

Authorities also revealed that Thomas directed his girlfriend, Denise Watson, who is the mother of the two children, to lie to doctors about the source of the injuries. According to court documents, Thomas told hospital staff that the injuries resulted from a series of accidents, such as falling down stairs, falling off a toy wagon, or playing too hard on a slip-and-slide during a relative’s birthday party.

“During the investigation, detectives learned that Thomas had previously abused two other children who were of similar age, in a very similar way, including by burning those children,” the release stated.

Watson pleaded guilty to her role in failing to seek medical attention for the children. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to the release.

Thomas’ criminal history includes charges that concern drugs, a hit and run crash that caused injuries and evading arrest.