A former Lone Star College-Tomball official is facing charges after allegedly causing the death of his infant son.
Court documents reveal that Emmitt Eugene Carter, who served as the Assistant Dean of Student Success at Lone Star College-Tomball, is accused of the death of his six-month-old son on July 8, 2023.
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Carter is accused of striking and shaking his son, which resulted in the child’s death and led to the murder charge.
The investigation indicated that Carter was the sole caretaker at the time of the incident, as the child’s mother was out of town. The DA emphasized that in such cases of suspected abuse, symptoms typically appear quickly, alerting the caregiver to the child’s condition.
Carter faces a first-degree felony charge with a potential sentence of 5 to 99 years or life in prison. The judge set his bond at $300,000.
Emmitt Eugene Carter’s defense attorney, Will Vaughn, argued during the court proceedings that Carter should be released on his own recognizance, emphasizing Carter’s clean record and standing in the community. Vaughn highlighted Carter’s role as a dedicated husband and father, and noted the unique circumstances of the case, asserting that what happened was a tragedy, not a crime.
Vaughn also mentioned Carter’s close relationship with his nine-year-old son, with whom he co-parents amicably. Vaughn expressed that this case is one of the most important he has taken on, stating that Carter is innocent and should not be in handcuffs answering for something he didn’t do, especially while mourning the loss of his child. The defense team has yet to see key evidence, including the autopsy report, as they prepare for the next court date on Oct.16.
Carter has worked in education for over 18 years and has been with Lone Star College for 10 years. He currently oversees various student support and mentoring programs at the college. He is being held on a $600,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court today.
KPRC 2 contacted Lone Star College who said that Carter is no longer an employee of the college.