A Texas judge sharply increased the bond for a Beaumont man accused of throwing a 1-year-old child from a moving vehicle after allegedly assaulting the child’s grandmother during a domestic dispute.
Brandon Lafleur, 46, is charged with felony injury to a child in connection with the alleged incident, which took place in September 2024 in Beaumont, Texas.
According to local station KFDM, Lafleur was arrested this week and appeared before Jefferson County Criminal District Court Judge John Stevens, who strongly criticized the allegations before raising his bond.
According to investigators, the incident began when Lafleur and his girlfriend—the grandmother of the 1-year-old girl—were arguing while riding in his vehicle.
Police said the grandmother was sitting in the back seat with the child on her lap when the argument escalated.
The woman told investigators that Lafleur allegedly struck her in the face before forcing her out of the moving vehicle.
According to police, after the grandmother was thrown from the vehicle, the 1-year-old remained inside.
Authorities allege Lafleur then threw the child from the moving vehicle, causing the toddler to suffer injuries to her face.
During the bond hearing, Judge Stevens questioned Lafleur about the allegations and expressed disbelief over the claims outlined in the probable cause affidavit.
According to KFDM, the judge criticized the alleged assault on the grandmother before focusing on the accusations involving the child.
When Stevens asked whether he had thrown the infant from the vehicle, Lafleur reportedly replied, “No, Your Honor.”
The judge responded by referring to the probable cause affidavit and the grand jury indictment, noting that investigators alleged the child’s facial injuries resulted from being thrown from the moving vehicle.
When asked how the injuries occurred, Lafleur reportedly answered that he did not know.
Judge Stevens said investigators and the grand jury believed there was sufficient evidence supporting the allegations and described the case as one of the most disturbing probable cause affidavits he had encountered during his time on the bench.
After learning Lafleur’s original bond had been set at $15,000, the judge ordered it increased to $100,000, citing the seriousness of the allegations.
According to the judge, anyone accused of intentionally harming a helpless infant in such a manner would be held strictly accountable in his courtroom.
Lafleur remains charged with felony injury to a child.
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
The case remains pending, and the allegations against Lafleur have not been proven in court. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty under the law.
