18-year-old arrested and charged in beating death of 8-year-old boy in Baytown area

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged in the death of his girlfriend's 8-year-old brother, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

Nolan Stallings was arrested on Monday and charged with injury to a child, a felony.

On Feb. 10, deputies responded to a hospital at 4401 Garth Road in Baytown, where the boy had been transported with various injuries to his body, Gonzalez said.

The child remained in critical condition until he died days later. According to the sheriff, the boy's injuries were consistent with abuse, which is believed to have happened at a home in the 100 block of Greendell Street.

According to Gonzalez, Stalling told medical staff the child's injuries were the result of a fall.

"Gosh, it just puts a pit in your stomach," Tara Lopez, who lives a few houses down, said.

Neighbors up and down the street recognize Stalling, but most don't recall ever seeing a young boy there.

"I have only seen the father and the young man that y'all are talking about and occasional girlfriend maybe, but other than that, I haven't seen anybody else," Sandra Barnes, who lives in the neighborhood. said.

By Monday, Stallings was charged in connection with the case and booked into the Harris County Jail.

Stallings is dating the victim's sister, the sheriff said.

For updates on this story, follow Alex Bozarjian on Facebook, X and Instagram.