Deputies said the incident started when they responded to an ATV crash in the 14000 block of Cedarwood Oaks Road in Splendora around 10:30 p.m. Thursday.
When first responders arrived, they found an 8-year-old child with injuries so severe that the child had to be flown to a Houston hospital for treatment, according to MCSO. They added that the child is now stabilized.
Investigators said Hunter Hudson, 32, caused the crash. Witnesses reported seeing him drive recklessly with a child passenger in the ATV before the accident.
Detectives said they arrested Hudson without incident, and he was charged with a felony count of injury to a child.
Hudson is being held on $100,000 bail in the Montgomery County Jail, MCSO said.
The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing and urged people to follow all safety procedures and traffic laws when using any ATV.
"Thousands of people are seriously hurt or killed every year due to unsafe ATV practices. Please be safe when enjoying your ATVs to avoid tragic situations like this one," a statement read.