HOUSTON, TX – A 14-year-old boy remains hospitalized in critical condition after allegedly suffering severe abuse at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend, authorities said. The boy’s injuries are so severe that he is reportedly facing kidney failure.
The boy’s mother, Latasha Clark, 43, and her boyfriend, Nathaniel Lathan, have been arrested and charged with injury to a child. The charges stem from an incident that police describe as particularly brutal, involving the use of a belt and a metal pipe as weapons.
In a recent court appearance, both Clark and Lathan faced the allegations against them. The court noted the grave nature of the accusations, which have left the community in shock. “The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing,” a court representative stated.
According to police reports, the assault took place on March 19 at the apartment on East Corral, where the boy resided with his mother. Initially, Clark claimed her son had been attacked outside, but neighbors provided a different account, describing sounds of yelling and the noise of objects hitting walls.
Neighbors reported hearing Clark shouting and what appeared to be the sound of someone being struck with a belt. They also recounted the sound of objects slamming against the walls, painting a grim picture of the events inside the apartment.
Eventually, police say Clark confessed to the abuse, admitting that she and Lathan used a belt and a metal pole from a lamp to beat the boy. The pole, found during a search of the residence, reportedly had blood on it, corroborating the accounts of violence.
Further investigation into Clark’s phone revealed video evidence showing additional acts of abuse. The videos reportedly depict the boy being punished, with scenes of soap being forced into his mouth and rubbing alcohol poured over his body.
While Lathan has been released on a $50,000 bond, Clark remains in custody. Court records indicate she has been ordered to have no contact with her children. Clark, who also has an 18-year-old son, previously worked at a daycare and as a bus aide for the Klein Independent School District.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the unsettling details of the case, hoping for justice and recovery for the young victim.