LOYCE DECKER - 18 months -(2009) Licking TX

A Licking man has been charged with second-degree murder and felony
child abuse in connection with the death of an 18-month-old girl last
week.

Freddie L. Thomas is being held in the Texas County Jail on a $1 million bond, according to Sheriff Carl Watson.

Thomas also is being held on a Texas County warrant for probation violation.

Thomas is accused of killing Loyce D. Decker, the daughter of his girlfriend.

Watson said Thomas’ girlfriend was at work on Aug. 11 when the incident occurred and is not a suspect in the case.

Thomas initially told authorities the little girl he was baby-sitting was injured when she fell in the bathtub.

However, an investigation concluded the girl’s injuries didn’t match that story, Watson said.

The girl was transported to Springfield, but was removed from life support on Wednesday.

Watson said Thomas could face life in prison if convicted on the murder charge.

Man to stand trial in Pulaski County in murder of child

Posted: Tuesday, May 4, 2010 2:25 pm | Updated: 8:35 am, Mon May 10, 2010.

A man charged with murdering his girlfriend's 19-month-old toddler will stand trial in Pulaski County, a judge ruled.

Freddie L. Thomas, 37, of Dittmer, is charged with second-degree murder and child abuse, both Class A felonies.

Thomas will stand trial in Pulaski County on a change of venue from Texas County, ruled Don Henry, circuit court judge who is hearing the case.

Authorities allege Thomas violently threw Loyce Darlene-Marie Decker into a bathtub, resulting in serious physical injury and head trauma in August 2009. She later died in a Springfield hospital.

Thomas, the boyfriend of the toddler's mother, Stephanie Shiver, was home alone with the baby and two twin boys, ages 3, at the home about three miles east of Licking on Highway 32.

Authorities, according to Texas County Sheriff Carl Watson, were suspicious of Thomas' story after he told them child fell while in the bathtub. Later, Thomas admitted throwing the baby into the bathtub. Watson said Thomas was not giving the baby a bath at the time, and she was fully clothed.
http://www.houstonherald.com/news/article_c1c872d6-57b2-11df-955d-001cc4c002e0.html

Thomas is incarcerated on other charges
Offender Information Details

http://offender.tdcj.state.tx.us/OffenderSearch/offenderDetail.action?sid=05732178