Parents charged with abusing son, 3

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) - A San Marcos couple were arrested after continued reports of abuse to their 3-year-old who was deaf, had a tracheotomy tube and a gastro-feeding tube.

The child's father, 27-year-old Jerold Morgan, and Alexandra Gatlin, 25, were arrested Oct. 12 on charges of injury to a disabled child. The charge is a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison.

In November 2010, a nurse who cared for the child noticed a large bruise, black eye and swollen cheek on the child. Morgan told her that during a walk, the boy  threw himself to the ground hitting rocks near the driveway.

The nurse was suspicious because at the time the child was not very mobile and only recently began walking without the assistance of a walker, according to police

The follwing March, the child was thrown into a TV set, according to an arrest affidavit. His injuries required 10 stitches. Morgan told the nurse his child was rocking in a chair and threw himself into the TV.

Later that month, the boy suffered a broken arm, which led to the removal of the child from their home.

Gatlin told the nurse she was alone with the boy when she saw him break his arm while falling.

Police where told a different story when a psychologist said that Morgan told him he was holding the boy's hand when his son pulled away and fell, causing the injury.

Witnesses said the abuse had been ongoing. One nurse who was part of a team that cared for the boy 16 hours a day, five days a week, said JW had been neglectful with his son and mentally abusive, shoving the boy away as he walked by with his foot. She said JW would also punish the boy, forcing him to stand in the corner as punishment and to "strengthen" his legs.

Police said both JW and Gaitlin withheld medical treatment for a life-threatening infection.

Morgan is currently in custody at the Hays County Jail on a $25,000 bond, Gatlin was released after posting a $25,000 bond.

According to Hays County civil records, an emergency protective order was issued for their son on June 17.