TEXARKANA, Texas -Bail has been set at $7 million for a man accused of capital murder in the death this week of an 11-month-old boy.
Joshua Deshaun Lowe, 28, appeared before Bowie County Justice of the Peace Nancy Talley for a magistrate's hearing in the Bowie County jail Friday morning on the charge involving the death of Javontae Neeley. Talley set Lowe's bail at $7 million.
Javontae would have had his first birthday next month.
Javontae was transported Sunday to a local hospital in a private car, according to a probable cause affidavit. The boy was not breathing and was found to be suffering from bleeding in his brain, broken ribs and "shoulders that showed signs of healing."
"The child was covered in bruises of various ages," the affidavit states.
Javontae was reportedly in Lowe's care while his mother was at work Sunday. Lowe allegedly contacted her at her job and claimed the child became unresponsive after choking on a hot dog.
In an interview with Texarkana, Texas, police, Lowe allegedly provided a different account. Lowe allegedly claimed he dropped the young boy after he vomited on him and that the boy fell backward and struck his head on a table after landing on his bottom.
"Lowe used a doll to demonstrate how he dropped (Javontae). He dropped the doll from one or two feet in the air," the affidavit states.
The child's mother allegedly "advised that she had seen Lowe be abusive with both of her children," according to the affidavit.
The mother allegedly told police that she has seen Lowe strike Javontae in the face while wearing boxing gloves on 10 different occasions. Police were allegedly told that when Javontae suffered a dislocated shoulder, Lowe "re-set" the shoulder himself and medical attention was not sought for the boy.
Capital murder is the most serious charge listed in the Texas Penal Code. The offense, if a suspect is convicted, is punishable by death or life without the possibility of parole.
Lowe is currently being held in the Bowie County jail.