McKinney, Texas – A Texas father is demanding justice after the death of his 3-year-old son, saying the child suffered catastrophic injuries inflicted by the mother’s boyfriend and was left in a vegetative state for weeks before dying on December 7. The case has led to upgraded capital murder charges against both the child’s mother and her boyfriend.
The heartbreaking details emerged through police records and social media updates from the boy’s father, who described how his son “was murdered” and left with permanent brain damage that prevented him from seeing, crying, or responding.
Father Says Son’s Condition Rapidly Declined After Alleged October Assault
According to the father, Dahrian Zamora, his son Dawson had been hospitalized since the alleged assault in October. He remained in a medically induced coma before partially awakening, but doctors warned that scans showed global brain damage with no signs of improvement.
“He has opened his eyes but he does not track movement, does not smile, does not cry, does not make a noise,” the father wrote on social media. He added that Dawson’s muscles had stiffened severely, noting that “his feet point straight with no bend at the ankle at all.”
Zamora said doctors confirmed the toddler would remain in a vegetative state, explaining, “My son Dawson is not ‘Dawson’ anymore.”
Charges Upgraded to Capital Murder After Child’s Death
Collin County court records show that Chelsea Berg, the boy’s 30-year-old mother, had her charges upgraded to capital murder of a child under 10 after Dawson’s reported death. Her boyfriend, Christopher Thomas Alexander, also 30, faces the same upgraded charge.
Alexander had initially been charged with injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, stalking, and tampering with evidence. Berg was first charged with injury to a child but has now been rearrested. Her bond for the new murder charge has not yet been set.
According to court documents, Alexander brought the child to a McKinney hospital on the day of the assault and claimed he heard a “thud” before finding Dawson injured. Medical staff quickly determined the toddler’s injuries were inconsistent with that explanation.
Doctors Found Extensive Trauma
Hospital staff documented a brain bleed, bruising in multiple stages of healing, injuries to the chest and stomach, and other signs of prolonged abuse. Detectives were called immediately after medical personnel determined the child’s condition could not have been caused by a single impact.
Police say Berg told investigators she left Dawson with Alexander the morning of the incident and later received a frantic call saying the boy needed medical attention. She insisted the child had no injuries when she left him.
Alexander declined to speak with detectives after obtaining a lawyer.
Father Battled for Custody and Protection Orders
Court filings show Zamora sought protection for his children shortly after the assault, requesting supervised visitation for Berg. A judge ordered that she could only see the children with a professional supervisor, noting Dawson was “on life support and has had multiple surgeries.”
Zamora said he fought legal battles to obtain full custody during the months of hospitalization. On December 3, he wrote that a judge granted him sole conservatorship and full authority over medical decisions.
Father Says Boy “Died on My Birthday”
Zamora announced that Dawson passed away on Sunday, which was also his birthday.
“He held on to spend one last birthday with me,” the father wrote. “His gift to me was his final breath.”
He expressed his anguish over the loss and blamed Berg for failing to protect their child.
“My son didn’t have to die, this could have been prevented,” he said. “My THREE YEAR OLD MURDERED and I’m left carrying this.”
A GoFundMe created for Dawson described the case as a tragic instance of severe abuse.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains ongoing as both suspects face the most serious charge available under Texas law. Capital murder of a child under 10 can carry life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Local residents and online users have expressed outrage at the details of the case and support for the grieving father as he prepares for his son’s funeral.
Public Safety Note
Child-abuse experts emphasize that unexplained injuries, sudden behavior changes, or inconsistent explanations from caregivers should always be reported immediately. Early intervention can save a child’s life.
Reader Call to Action
If you have thoughts about this case or want to share your experiences about child safety and community responsibility, feel free to join the discussion in the comments.
