ONE Texas According to authorities, the man allegedly killed his 2-year-old daughter while FaceTimed with the child’s mother amid a police pursuit.
In Monday, Deontray Flanagan25 years old, picking up daughter Zevaya from kindergarten, KPC 2 reports, citing court documents.
Texas father allegedly strangled 2-year-old daughter during police chase, FaceTime call with girl’s mother
Flanagan is said to have taken the girl to a Walmart where her mother, identified by ABC13 like Kairsten Watson, worked. There, he asked the mother to hand over his cell phone.
After she gave him the phone, he is said to have beaten her several times before fleeing by car with Zevaya, with police pursuit not far behind. Zevaya’s mother eventually contacted Flanagan on FaceTime using the phone of Zevaya, who also happened to be working at Walmart at the time, according to the source.
Flanagan is said to have lashed out at Watson after asking her for a mobile phone password, which he did not receive.
Court documents allege Flanagan then began assaulting and strangling Zevaya as Watson watched helplessly in horror as the attack ended, KRPC 2 reported.
Flanagan eventually ended the call with Watson before calling his stepfather, telling him the girl was “disappeared”.
Deontray Flanagan, 25, was charged with murder in the death of her 2-year-old daughter. Sheriff Gonzalez said he threatened to harm the child if the mother did not hand over her phone and password. When she did, he chased the child at high speed. @FOX26Houston pic.twitter.com/hxG5khhBUo
– Gabby Hart (@GabbyHartNews) March 20, 2023
Police chase lasted 45 minutes, suspect charged with murder, released on $2 million bail
The 45-minute chase ended with Flanagan being arrested. KFYR-TV. Meanwhile, Zevaya was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Flanagan has since been charged with murder and is still being held on $2 million bail. As of Friday, it remains unclear whether he defended or hired an attorney.
“She adores him.” Zevaya Flanagan’s mother, 2, couldn’t fathom what her final moments were like. Deontray Flanagan’s dad accused of killing toddler while in pursuit + allegedly hacked FaceTiming. Family + what happened today in court: @AREA at 4,5,6 https://t.co/QXQtj8ha2X #khou11 pic.twitter.com/AvsjiVGNo3
– Jason Miles (@JMilesKHOU) March 22, 2023
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The girl’s mother told authorities about the suspect’s previous threats: ‘They don’t believe me’
Watson told ABC 13 that the two had many problems in the past, and rhetorically asked “will you wait until something (bad) happens to (Zevaya)?”
“I told [the authorities] Watson said, ABC 13 reported. “At least they could have tried to find him, but even with his past, no. I said, ‘Are you going to wait until something happens to her?’”
She went on to say that she showed authorities several messages in which Flanagan had threatened to hurt the child, but added that “they didn’t believe me.”
“They didn’t believe me,” Watson said. “They think I just made this up, and he’s the baby’s father.”
The mother told Fox Houston that Zevaya was a happy baby who loved going to church.
GoFundMe Sets Funeral Fees for Zevaya, Aunt Calls Her Father “The Evil One”
Zevaya’s aunt, Kaci Watson, also spoke to ABC 13 about her niece, recalling the horror the little girl must have felt when her own father started killing her.
“Maybe she was just thinking, ‘Why?’ Like, ‘Dad, what did you do?’” Kaci Watson told the outlet. “And she did nothing. She does nothing but love him and be a joy to the world, and he is just a bad guy.”
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe was created to help with Zevaya’s funeral expenses. The fundraising campaign has raised $4,412 of its $12,000 goal as of Friday. Those interested in donating can do so This.
If you suspect child abuse, call Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or visit www.childhelp.org. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
