San Antonio Man Charged in Baby’s Death, Bond Set at $1M

UPDATE: A San Antonio man, Rick Artis, has been charged in the tragic death of a 9-month-old baby and is currently held on a staggering $1 million bond. The charges were announced in a court hearing today, following the infant’s death earlier this year on January 25, 2023.

During the proceedings in Bexar County today, a judge set Artis’s bond at $1 million as the prosecution moved forward with a charge of first-degree felony injury to a child. Artis, aged 31, is now in custody as investigators continue to gather evidence related to this heartbreaking case.

According to court records, the baby was discovered unresponsive in a crib at an apartment on Ingram Road at approximately 10:44 a.m. that day. Authorities later determined that the infant suffered a “significant skull fracture likely caused by blunt force trauma.” This shocking revelation has sent ripples of grief and outrage through the community.

The investigation into the baby’s death revealed critical evidence, including text messages and footage from a neighbor’s Ring camera, which helped establish a timeline of events. Investigators are currently piecing together the details of that fateful morning, raising urgent concerns about the safety of children in similar domestic situations.

Tragically, this is not Artis’s first brush with the law regarding child injuries. He is also linked to the death of Lyriq Ogilvie Artis, a 17-month-old who died in October 2018. That earlier case was ruled a homicide due to “remote blunt head trauma,” and Artis was indicted in February 2020. However, that case has faced numerous delays, including a dismissal and subsequent reopening.

Under Texas law, a conviction for intentionally or knowingly causing serious bodily injury to a child can lead to severe penalties, ranging from 5 to 99 years in prison or even life. The outcome of this case will hinge on the mental state of the defendant and the severity of the harm inflicted.

Artis was booked into the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on January 29 and remains behind bars as the legal process unfolds. As this case develops, the community watches closely, hoping for justice for the innocent life lost.

For now, prosecutors and investigators continue to review the evidence while the court proceedings are ongoing. The public is encouraged to stay informed as more details emerge from this tragic case that raises critical questions about child safety and protection from domestic violence.

Keep an eye on this developing story as it unfolds in the coming days.