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Texas Prison Guard Gets Five Years for Scalding Child
On February 29, 2012, former Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison guard Henry Benson III, 31, was convicted by a state court jury of “recklessly” burning a child he was babysitting.
Benson, formerly employed at the Connally Unit in Kenedy, was looking after 3-year-old Emilio Taylor in October 2009 when the incident occurred. Benson was accused of holding Emilio in scalding-hot water after the child soiled him-self. Emilio suffered burns on his feet.
According to prosecutors, Benson told several stories to investigators as to how the injuries occurred. “Lies are really hard to keep straight ... but the truth is really easy,” said prosecutor Jessica Frazier.
Benson’s ex-wife, Roxanne, refused to testify to a number of prior incidents that indicated Benson had previously engaged in abusive conduct. Those incidents included a domestic violence call in which Roxanne told police that Benson had choked her, and an incident when Benson allegedly slammed their son’s head to the ground.
“I was still going through a divorce and if I said anything I might have exaggerated,” Roxanne stated.
Prosecutors accused Benson of manipulating his ex-wife to retract her previous complaints about him, including that he “treat[ed] his family like inmates,” according to a news report. Roxanne claimed she didn’t remember saying that.
On March 23, 2012, Benson was sentenced to five years in prison; he was initially taken into custody but then re-leased on an appeal bond.
Sources: www.mysanantonio.com, Houston Chronicle
Benson, formerly employed at the Connally Unit in Kenedy, was looking after 3-year-old Emilio Taylor in October 2009 when the incident occurred. Benson was accused of holding Emilio in scalding-hot water after the child soiled him-self. Emilio suffered burns on his feet.
According to prosecutors, Benson told several stories to investigators as to how the injuries occurred. “Lies are really hard to keep straight ... but the truth is really easy,” said prosecutor Jessica Frazier.
Benson’s ex-wife, Roxanne, refused to testify to a number of prior incidents that indicated Benson had previously engaged in abusive conduct. Those incidents included a domestic violence call in which Roxanne told police that Benson had choked her, and an incident when Benson allegedly slammed their son’s head to the ground.
“I was still going through a divorce and if I said anything I might have exaggerated,” Roxanne stated.
Prosecutors accused Benson of manipulating his ex-wife to retract her previous complaints about him, including that he “treat[ed] his family like inmates,” according to a news report. Roxanne claimed she didn’t remember saying that.
On March 23, 2012, Benson was sentenced to five years in prison; he was initially taken into custody but then re-leased on an appeal bond.
Sources: www.mysanantonio.com, Houston Chronicle
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