LEVELLAND, TEXAS: A 29-year-old Texas mother will spend the rest of her days behind bars for brutally belaboring her young son to death. Samantha Dawn Mathis will serve a life sentence as per the orders of Hockley County District Court Judge J Pat Phelan on Thursday, August 3, after she pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the 2020 slaying of young Elijah Lebario.
The sentencing was applauded by the 286th Judicial District Attorney, Angela L Overman, saying it “underscores the gravity of these crimes and sends a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.” “The successful resolutions in these cases serve as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by our legal team,” Overman’s office said in a press release. “We extend our gratitude to the community for their unwavering support throughout these proceedings, and we shall continue to fulfill our duty in safeguarding the interests of our fellow citizens.”
Who is Samantha Dawn Mathis?
Samantha Dawn Mathis, who faces life in prison for the killing of her tot, also pleaded guilty to one count of felony injury to a child. Judge Phelan sentenced her to 10 years in prison to be served consecutively, meaning after the completion of her life sentence. She will also be required to pay a $10,000 fine. The mother was originally indicted of capital murder but pleaded to a lesser charge as part of an agreement with prosecutors. Her partner, Robert Garza Jr, was also arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with Elijah’s death. He is awaiting trial after he pleaded not guilty.
The child was covered in bruises
According to Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, on February 4, 2020, Levelland Police Department officers responded to a call regarding an unresponsive toddler who had been admitted to Levelland Covenant Hospital with suspicious injuries.
The victim, later identified as Elijah, was unresponsive and covered in bruises from head to toe. Authorities also said that Elijah’s internal temperature was 81 degrees which is more than 15 degrees below normal. The boy was in the hospital for less than three minutes when the staff decided to inform the authorities that they believed his injuries were the result of physical abuse.
Due to his extreme condition, Elijah was transported to University Medical Center in Lubbock for more specialized treatment. Tragically, he died because of his injuries in one of the operating rooms.
Mathis and her partner regularly abused Elijah
After interrogating Mathis and other family members, investigators came to know that both Mathis and Garza, who she was dating for almost half a year, would regularly physically abuse Elijah. “He had several indications of bruising all over his body,” an investigator reportedly told Lubbock ABC affiliate KAMC. “When we arrived on scene we just didn’t quite believe her story as far as what she was telling us and how this young baby had sustained all of these injuries.” Mathis was taken into custody shortly after Elijah’s death.
When was Garza arrested?
Investigators located Garza at a residence in the 400 block of North College Avenue and he was arrested without incident. The outlet reported that the indictments for Mathis and Garza accused both of “knowingly” causing Elijah’s death by “striking him with a hand, foot, belt or unknown object, or by causing the boy to strike a floor, wall, toilet, tub sink or unknown object, or by shaking him".Garza’s capital murder trial is scheduled to begin in February next year.
