Demitrius Shea Lacour (McLennan County Jail).

Demitrius Shea Lacour, 40, was found guilty of injuring a child and received an 8.5-year prison sentence, as reported by CBS affiliate KWTX. The incident came to light in September 2024, when the young boy, a first-grader at the time, arrived at school with a noticeable bruise on his neck. Upon further examination, the school nurse discovered additional bruises and welts, prompting a report to the police. According to KWTX, the child suffered “six distinct injuries on his body, all consistent with being struck with a belt.”

The injuries included 4-inch wide bruises on his neck, back, side, and lower legs. Authorities concluded that the extent of the injuries went “far beyond reasonable physical discipline.”

During closing arguments, Prosecutor Jessica Washington emphasized the excessive nature of the punishment. “Did this 6-year-old deserve this?” Washington questioned. “He had just started first grade. He was just learning his ABCs. Was that reasonable discipline? Is this what you would expect from a parent when this child merely forgets his take-home folder? Was a belt across his neck and back and legs what he needed to learn to be a better student?”

Prosecutor Jessica Washington reiterated that notion during her closing arguments.

“Did this 6-year-old deserve this?” Washington reportedly said. “He had just started first grade. He was just learning his ABCs. Was that reasonable discipline? Is this what you would expect from a parent when this child merely forgets his take-home folder? Was a belt across his neck and back and legs what he needed to learn to be a better student?”

The defendant’s attorney said his client was trying to “straighten out his son.” He dismissed it as a “mistake.”

“Was this a mistake someone needs to go to prison for?” attorney Alan Streetman said, according to KWTX.

Jurors didn’t take long to side with the prosecution. They reportedly came back with a verdict in 30 minutes. Lacour had reportedly been offered a plea deal in which he would have received a five-year prison sentence but he rejected that and took his chances at trial.

Washington and fellow prosecutor Dan Stokes said in a statement to KWTX that Lacour showed a “complete lack of remorse and avoidance of responsibility.”

“His attempts to justify leaving a 6-year-old child covered in bruises and welts in the shape of a buckle all over his body was not discipline, but abuse,” they said.