A Thibodaux, Louisiana couple has been taken into custody following a traffic stop in Baytown, Texas that has led to an investigation into an alleged attempted murder.
Reports came in on April 20 regarding a vehicle that was seen driving recklessly on Interstate 10 East in Baytown. The car eventually collided with a service road.
On the next day, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office shared a report stating that deputies had received information from the Department of Child Family Services regarding a 15-year-old who was discovered with severe burns and multiple gunshot wounds in the Baytown crash. Following the victim’s hospitalization, a Baytown officer expressed that the injuries were the most severe she had encountered throughout her entire career.
According to TPSO officers, 40-year-old Latonya Harris, 41-year-old Terrence Washington, and a child were apprehended following the collision.
According to Baytown police, Washington reportedly confessed to shooting the teenager during a confrontation with Harris at their Thibodaux residence before traveling to Texas.
The TPSO has reported that Washington has confessed to being responsible for the victim’s sexual abuse, which occurred over several months before the victim sustained injuries.
According to reports, it has been claimed that Washington was aware of the teenager’s burn injuries in February 2024 and that Harris was providing treatment.
According to TPSO officials, during the investigation, the child who was present in the car at the time of the crash provided a statement. They described waking up to a distressing scene where the victim’s body was on fire. The child mentioned that Latonya Harris was present, holding a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a lighter near their bed.
Investigators discovered that the victim was shot on two different occasions.
During the investigation, TPSO detectives conducted a search of a residence located in the 400 block of West Park Avenue. They reportedly discovered compelling evidence indicating that a firearm had been discharged within the premises.
Investigators traveled to Texas to conduct a follow-up interview with Washington, who reportedly confessed to having a firearm during an altercation on April 19. Unfortunately, the gun discharged and the victim was injured.
According to reports, he informed detectives that he discovered Harris had allegedly burned the victim in February upon returning home from work.
The TPSO reported that Washington claimed the victim suffered burns after Harris discovered the sexual abuse. Harris was discharged from a Texas hospital on May 9 and apprehended upon his arrival back in Terrebonne Parish.
Harris is being charged with attempted first-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, and domestic abuse battery child endangerment.
Washington is currently being held at the Harris County Detention Center in connection with charges in Texas and will later be transferred to the Terrebonne Parish. TPSO officials have obtained arrest warrants for Washington on multiple serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder, cruelty to a juvenile, obstruction of justice, molestation of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and second-degree rape.
The investigation is still in progress.