Trial Begins in Houston County in Murder of Infant
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
HOUSTON COUNTY – A murder trial began Wednesday, Feb. 22 in the downtown Crockett courthouse over the death of a two-month-old infant in 2019. Houston County District Attorney Donna Kaspar began the trial for 27-year-old Ashton Derione Sessum charged with capital felony murder stemming from the death of the child in September of that year.
Sessum was taken into custody along with partner Natayia Kamari Thomas, 26, Oct. 8 2019. The couple had recently relocated to Crockett from the Houston area.
Crockett Police Chief Clayton Smith told The Messenger at that time officers with the Crockett Police Department were notified“… of a vehicle reportedly heading to Crockett Medical Center (CMC) with an unresponsive two month old infant.”
When the law enforcement officials arrived at the emergency room, they met with Houston County EMS personnel and the CMC medical staff.
“It was reported to Crockett Police Department (officials) that the infant was likely a victim of abuse and would likely not survive. Child Protective Services was notified and responded to the hospital as well and began a joint investigation with the Crockett Police Department,” Smith stated at the time.
The ER doctors, nurses and other medical staff were able to resuscitate the infant. However, due to the critical nature of the injuries, a decision was made to transfer the child to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
Smith indicated CPD detectives traveled to Texas Children’s Hospital in order “… to meet with medical staff and the mother and father of the child. Upon arriving we were immediately notified that the infant would likely not survive and that it was definitely a case of child abuse.”
The medical staff at Texas Children’s Hospital further revealed the infant had suffered numerous internal injuries, a traumatic brain injury, as well as multiple fractured bones and ribs. The CPD detectives also met with the Child Abuse Team at the hospital who confirmed the injuries were consistent with abuse. No other causes for the infant’s injuries were indicated.
Both Thomas and Sessum were interviewed by the CPD detectives but “… could not provide an explanation as to how their two-month-old infant sustained the traumatic injuries. Sessum ultimately admitted to violently dropping the infant on one occasion and violently shaking the infant on a second occasion. Messages found in both Thomas and Sessum’ s phone indicated that Thomas was aware of anger outburst(s) from Sessum with the infant, but did nothing to stop Sessum from lashing out again or to protect the infant,” Smith stated.
Smith went on to state the preliminary cause of the infant’s death was abusive head trauma. A full autopsy was performed by the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office at that time.
Warrants for the arrests of Sessum and Thomas were obtained, charging them both with the capital murder in the death of a child under 10-years-of-age. Both warrants had preset bonds of $1 million.
According to Smith, “We then accompanied the HPD Warrant Extraction Team to a location that we determined Sessum and Thomas were staying. Both were taken into custody without incident.”
“We ask that you keep everyone involved with this investigation in your prayers. These cases are extremely difficult to deal with as they take an emotional toll on everyone. We ask that you keep the siblings and extended family of this infant victim in your prayers as they have tougher days ahead. The Crockett Police Department is committed to seeking justice for this infant child and will continue to work diligently on providing the highest quality of investigative case work possible. I would also like to commend my officers and detectives for the dedication and hard work they have put forth and continue to put forth on this investigation,” the police chief stated in 2019 after the two were taken into custody.
The Messenger will have details from the trial and the eventual verdict.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
