Frank Hughes, 36, was sentenced to life in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice today for intentionally and knowingly causing serious bodily injury to a child. On February 6, 2024, defendant Hughes elected to try his case to 437th District Court Judge Joel Perez instead of proceeding with a jury trial. He was found guilty on April 15, 2024.
On August 26, 2021, EMS arrived to find Frank Hughes' 5-month-old child not breathing. Hughes claimed the child was having trouble breathing while feeding. However, doctors discovered a severe brain bleed, several healing fractures, and retinal bleeding. Medical staff successfully aided the child's recovery through ongoing medical care.
During the investigation, the parents denied any falls or head injuries and asserted that the child had injuries from birth. A shoulder injury from birth was confirmed but ruled out as the cause of the current injuries. The child will now be unable to walk or talk on his own.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kaytlyn Wilkes and Cassie Rosales handled this case on behalf of the Family Violence Division of the Bexar County Criminal District Attorney's Office. They were assisted by Crime Victims' Advocate Alex Ornelas and Criminal Investigator Rudy Rangel.
"No child should endure pain from those who are meant to love them the most," said Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales. "Witnessing the abuse that so many young Bexar County children are subjected to is difficult. I'm proud of our office's efforts to ensure the protection and justice for each child."
