La Porte PD says capital murder arrest in decade-old toddler cold case was 'collaborative effort'

LA PORTE, Texas (KTRK) -- The La Porte Police Department has confirmed that Eric Johnson, who was arrested in connection with the cold case murder of a toddler in 2012, has now been charged with capital murder.

According to investigators, Johnson's recent arrest was a collaborative effort among law enforcement and the Office of the Attorney General's crime-solving workshop.

Officials said at the time there was not enough evidence to charge Johnson, who was identified as the primary suspect nearly a decade ago. Officials said there were at least three locations where Johnson could have been, but an unrelated service call at an Alvin trailer park led officers to his location.

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Assistant Chief John Krueger with La Porte PD said it is unknown what the exact evidence that led to Johnson's arrest, but having those resources was critical.

"When you're dealing with a child, that's an even higher level. But when you're dealing with an infant, at that point, it's just a disgusting situation," Krueger said.

Johnson was said to have been dating little Shawn McCloskey's mother and was watching him the night before he was found unresponsive by her.

The child was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said. He had suffered multiple trauma forced injuries consistent with a high-speed car crash, officials said.