A Texas man allegedly hurled a 1-year-old girl from a moving car after first assaulting her grandmother and throwing the woman from the vehicle during an argument, according to court records obtained by Law&Crime.
Background
Brandon Lafleur, 46, of Beaumont was taken into custody this week following an investigation into incidents that reportedly occurred in September 2024. The Jefferson County Criminal District Court case has drawn significant attention due to the young age of the child victim and the disturbing nature of the alleged conduct.
According to probable cause documents, Lafleur and his girlfriend were engaged in a verbal dispute while traveling in his vehicle. The grandmother was seated in the back seat with her granddaughter on her lap when the argument escalated, investigators allege.
The child's grandmother told police that she and Lafleur had been arguing before he allegedly attacked her, striking her in the face. The blow caused her to fall out of the moving vehicle, leaving the 1-year-old alone in the passenger seat, according to law enforcement accounts.
The Charges
Lafleur is charged with felony injury to a child in connection with the alleged September 2024 incident. A Jefferson County grand jury handed down an indictment before Lafleur was taken into custody this week.
At his initial bond hearing, Jefferson County Criminal District Court Judge John Stevens expressed disbelief at the allegations, repeatedly asking the defendant if he understood what he was accused of doing.
"You struck a lady. Who does that?" Stevens said, according to court transcripts reported by KFDM. "I'm appalled. I can't imagine throwing a 1-year-old out of a car in the first place. But a 1-year-old infant, a helpless infant, tossed out of a moving vehicle and then the child's face is injured."
Stevens raised Lafleur's bond from $15,000 to $100,000, citing the severity of the charges.
"On this court's watch, you will not harm an infant, intentionally harm a 1-year-old infant and toss them out of a moving vehicle," Stevens declared. "This is one of the most disturbing probable cause affidavits I have read in my career."
If convicted, Lafleur faces up to 10 years in prison under Texas law.
Key Takeaways
- Brandon Lafleur, 46, has been indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury on felony injury to a child charges
- The alleged incident occurred in September 2024 in Beaumont, Texas; Lafleur was arrested this week
- Investigators allege he struck his girlfriend, causing her to fall from the vehicle, then threw the 1-year-old from the car while it was moving
- The child sustained facial injuries as a result of being hurled onto the roadway, according to probable cause documents
- Judge John Stevens raised bond from $15,000 to $100,000, stating he would hold defendants charged with such crimes "strictly accountable"
- Lafleur faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted
What's Next
Lafleur remains held on the increased $100,000 bond as he awaits further court proceedings. His case is scheduled for continued action in Jefferson County Criminal District Court. The prosecution has indicated it will pursue the full scope of available penalties given the nature of the allegations involving a child victim.
Defense counsel has not yet filed motions or made public statements regarding the charges.