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Ceasar was listed on the Jefferson County inmate roster alongside a $250,000 bond for injury to a child
After allegedly shaking his girlfriend’s 11-month-old baby to death for “misbehavior” two days before her first birthday and misrepresenting his pugnacious act as an attempted life-saving measure, a 23-year-old Beaumont man was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury March 2 for injury to a child.
According to an indictment penned by Beaumont Police Department (BPD) detectives, police arrived at St. Elizabeth Hospital at about 2:45 p.m. Dec. 3, 2021 in reference to an 11-month-old infant who was brought in for choking by her mother and 23-year-old Bryce Lawrence Ceasar.
Investigation revealed the infant was transported from Settler’s Cove Apartments on Treadway Road. A CT scan showed bleeding on the infant’s brain, and doctors noted a large bruise on her shoulder and temple, as well as signs of petechiae in her left eye.
According to Ceasar, the baby woke up in a lethargic state and had a seizure shortly after. He told detectives he responded by feeding her some small crackers before she became unresponsive. Then, according to the indictment, “he shook her several times with no response. Ceasar stated he patted her on the back numerous times with no response.”
After being alerted to the situation, the baby’s mother arrived at the apartment to find the child unresponsive. The woman said Ceasar appeared nervous and gave a “different” account of what happened.
According to the indictment, Ceasar had an outstanding warrant for Beaumont traffic tickets and was arrested at the hospital. He initially repeated his account that the baby was choking on a cheese cracker and her injuries could have only occurred when he attempted to clear her airway.
“After speaking to him for an extended amount of time, Ceasar advised that he did not want to appear as a monster,” detectives wrote, “and he wanted to tell us the truth.”
Ceasar went on to confess that he became irate at the infant over alleged misbehavior. Ceasar said he picked up the infant and “vigorously shook her” until she eventually became unresponsive.
According to BPD detectives’ investigation, Ceasar intentionally and knowingly inflicted serious bodily injury, ultimately causing the infant’s death. As of March 3, Ceasar was listed on the Jefferson County inmate roster alongside a $250,000 bond for injury to a child.