A Texarkana toddler who died suddenly last month suffered blunt-force trauma severe enough to tear internal organs, according to an affidavit in a Bowie County murder case.
Gayton, who had been living with the family since early December, had been babysitting the youngsters and was allegedly the only adult with access to them before the mother came home.
The mother told police she realized something was wrong with Da'Corian when she checked on him around midnight and found him face down in his bed.
"She advised that she touched him and discovered that he was cold to the touch and not breathing," the affidavit states. "(The mother) called 911 as she and Gayton performed CPR maneuvers and placed him in a bathtub in an attempt to warm him."
Paramedics arrived and determined there was nothing they could for Da'Corian. His body was taken to Dallas for an autopsy.
"Upon examination, the child had multiple bruises covering a large portion of his head, face, torso, pelvic area and legs," the affidavit states. "Several of the child's internal organs contained tears from blunt trauma."
Da'Corian reportedly suffered inches-wide areas of significant trauma to his head as well.
Gayton was arrested on a capital murder charge Jan. 30 at a relative's home in Texarkana, Texas, by police who found him hiding under a bathroom cabinet.
Gayton's case has not been presented to a Bowie County grand jury for formal indictment. If he is indicted for capital murder, he faces the death penalty or life without the possibility of parole. Gayton remains in jail, unable to post bond on $2 million bail.