McKinney, TX – A Texas couple has been arrested after a 3-year-old boy was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, including a brain bleed and multiple bruises, that doctors say could not have been caused by a single fall. Authorities allege the child’s mother and her boyfriend were responsible for the abuse that left the toddler on life support.
The Incident: Toddler Found Unresponsive After Reported “Thud”
On October 14, Christopher Thomas Alexander, 30, brought Dawson Cain Zamora, his girlfriend’s 3-year-old son, to a hospital in McKinney, roughly 35 miles north of Dallas. Alexander reportedly told medical staff that he heard a “thud” before finding the child injured.
Doctors quickly determined that Dawson’s injuries were inconsistent with that explanation. The child was suffering from a brain bleed, multiple bruises in various stages of healing, and trauma to his chest and abdomen, according to the Collin County Sheriff’s Office.
Medical personnel contacted local authorities after concluding the boy’s wounds “could not have been caused by a single fall.”
A warrant for Alexander’s arrest was issued later that same day.
Investigation and Evidence: Injuries Suggest Ongoing Abuse
Following the medical evaluation, police interviewed Chelsea Rene Berg, 30, the child’s mother. She told detectives that she had left Dawson in Alexander’s care at around 7:20 a.m. while she went to work. Later that day, she received a text message from Alexander saying the boy was eating lunch, followed by a frantic call urging her to come to the hospital.
When questioned, Berg claimed she first learned of Alexander’s story about the “thud” once she arrived at the hospital.
“He told me he heard a thud and found Dawson injured,” Berg allegedly told police, according to court documents.
Detectives later showed Berg photos of her son’s extensive injuries. She reportedly insisted Dawson had no visible bruises or wounds when she left him that morning.
Hospital scans revealed older bruising inconsistent with the healing timeline of the most recent injuries, suggesting the child had been abused on multiple occasions, authorities said.
Arrests and Charges Filed
On October 16, both Berg and Alexander were arrested in connection with the child’s injuries.
- Christopher Thomas Alexander, 30, was charged with injury to a child causing great bodily injury, stalking, and tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair.
- Chelsea Rene Berg, 30, was charged with injury to a child.
Berg was able to post bond and was released the same day, but the court barred her from contacting her son. Alexander remains in custody at the Collin County Jail.
According to police affidavits, Alexander refused to speak to investigators after retaining an attorney, while Berg cooperated and gave statements.
Court Proceedings and Emergency Petition
Court records show that Berg’s attorneys later filed an emergency motion requesting that she be allowed to visit Dawson while he remained on life support.
On October 19, Berg reportedly learned that her son had no brain activity and would soon be removed from life support. The motion was granted the following day, allowing her to “say goodbye to her son before he passes away,” according to the filing.
Authorities are expected to upgrade charges pending confirmation of Dawson’s death.
Family Statements and Public Reaction
A GoFundMe page launched by Dawson’s great-niece described the child as “tragically abused” and in need of long-term medical care.
“Dawson was tragically abused,” the fundraiser reads. “He has already undergone emergency treatment, and doctors expect him to be hospitalized for many months as he begins the long journey of healing—physically, emotionally, and mentally. No child should ever have to endure what Dawson has been through.”
Dawson’s father, Dahrian Zamora, who lives in Amarillo, told local news outlets that hospital scans showed signs of previous injuries, suggesting a pattern of abuse.
“He was beaten before this attack,” Zamora said. “The attack that killed him wasn’t the only attack. There’s prior abuse in the home.”
Background Context: Child Abuse in Texas
Child welfare advocates note that Texas consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of child abuse cases. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, thousands of children each year suffer severe injuries or fatalities from domestic abuse, often at the hands of caregivers or partners.
Authorities say this case underscores the urgent need for stronger intervention systems and community reporting when children show signs of neglect or harm.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the case remains under investigation and that additional charges may follow once medical findings are finalized. The district attorney’s office is expected to review whether to elevate the charges to capital murder should Dawson’s death be ruled a homicide.
Alexander continues to be held without bond, while Berg awaits further hearings related to her charges and bond restrictions.
Conclusion
As the community mourns for 3-year-old Dawson Zamora, prosecutors and investigators are working to ensure accountability for the alleged abuse that led to his death. The case serves as another reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked violence in the home.
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