San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office deputies on the morning of Friday, Nov. 22, were contacted and advised a small child was injured to the point where the child was taken to a local emergency room for further medical treatment from injuries he received to his head and torso.
According to a statement from Sheriff Greg Capers, investigators were made aware of the incident and immediately initiated this investigation. Investigators learned that a local school bus driver stopped to pick the child up near the residence and a witness for the child allegedly told the bus driver the child was being beaten. The witness requested the child not be dropped back off at the end of the day fearing for the safety of the child.
“The alert bus driver contacted authorities to investigate the comment made by the witness. Investigators arrived at the school of the child and discovered the child to have significant injuries to his head and torso which needed medical care,” the statement continues.
Several members of the Detective Division responded to a residence located off Shag Lane in Shepherd, Texas. Upon their arrival, contact was made with the witness, who allegedly saw Charles Wayne Lane, of Shepherd, Texas, assault the child several times. The witness, who did not have transportation or a telephone to call 9-1-1, said Lane began striking the small child in the early morning hours.
Investigators determined Lane was at his place of employment and took him into custody without further incident.
According to Capers, Lane is a recent parolee from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. A criminal history check on Lane indicated he has had over 14 arrests. These arrests included Robbery, Assault against a Family Member, Assault causing bodily injury, Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful possession of a Firearm by Felon, Delivery of Marijuana, Engaging in Organized Crime to name a few. Of those charges, Lane has been convicted eight times. For the most recent conviction, Lane spent two years behind bars on the charge of failing to stop and render aid, which resulted in serious bodily injury.
Child Protection Services were contacted and began its part of the investigation.