UPDATE: A San Antonio man has been charged with the death of a 9-month-old baby and is being held on a staggering $1 million bond. Rick Artis, 31, appeared in a Bexar County courtroom on Monday, facing a first-degree felony count of injury to a child as the case rapidly develops.
During the court hearing, a judge confirmed the bond amount, allowing prosecutors to pursue the serious charge. The tragic incident occurred on January 25, 2023, when police found the infant unresponsive in a crib at an apartment located in the 6100 block of Ingram Road. The child was pronounced dead at 10:44 AM the same day. An autopsy revealed a “significant skull fracture likely caused by blunt force trauma,” prompting the urgent investigation, as confirmed by KSAT.
Investigators have cited crucial evidence, including text messages and footage from a neighbor’s Ring camera, which helped establish a timeline of events leading up to the tragedy. As the investigation unfolds, Artis remains in custody at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center since his arrest on January 29.
This case is not Artis’s first encounter with the law concerning child injury. He is also connected to the death of 17-month-old Lyriq Ogilvie Artis in October 2018, which was ruled a homicide caused by “remote blunt head trauma.” Artis was indicted in February 2020, but this earlier case has experienced numerous delays, including a dismissal and subsequent reopening.
Under Texas law, a conviction for injury to a child that intentionally or knowingly causes serious bodily injury is classified as a first-degree felony. This carries severe penalties, including a potential sentence of five to 99 years or life in prison, depending on the circumstances and the defendant’s mental state.
As this shocking case continues to unfold, authorities are reviewing evidence and preparing for the next steps in court. Local residents and child advocacy groups are closely watching the developments, as the emotional toll of such tragedies resonates deeply within the community.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the justice system takes its course.
