From Staff Reports
A Palo Pinto grand jury returned an indictment Thursday against Chester “Cuatro” Marion Bell IV for capital murder of a child under six years of age.
Bell, 25, of Graford, is accused of killing 2-year-old Buck Oddason McCoy Jr., his girlfriend’s child, in March.
The Mineral Wells Fire Department and EMS responding to a call on March 11 about a choking child at Bell’s residence in the 16000 block of State Highway 254 reportedly found Buck unresponsive.
The Child Advocacy and Resource Evaluation team at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth examined the child and found injuries on the head and body consistent with blunt force trauma, according to Sheriff Ira Mercer.
According to Capt. Craig Goen, investigator with the Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office, Buck’s body was covered with bruises, abrasions and lacerations when he photographed the child at the hospital.
After Buck died on March 12 when life support was removed, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner ruled Buck’s death homicide by traumatic head injury.
Bell turned himself in on March 15 and remains in jail with bail set at $300,000.
The following individuals were also indicted:
• Thomas Anthony Delgado III for continuous sexual abuse of a young child.
• Stephen Wendell Berg for injury to a child.
• Chad Michael Britt for burglary of a habitation.
• Warren Gaumelia Tate Jr., for possession of a controlled substance, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.
• Tuterrence Demaskinni Davis for possession of marijuana, more than 4 ounces, less than 5 pounds.
• Jose Luis Rodriguez for possession of a controlled substance, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.
• Jessica Renee Crabtree for possession of a controlled substance, less than 1 gram.
• Riggin Gideon Valley for possession of a controlled substance, less than 1 gram.
• Lane Patrick Stevens for possession of a controlled substance, less than 1 gram.
• Beatrice Gonzales DeLeon for possession of a controlled substance, more than 1 gram, less than 4 grams.
• Enrique Carreon Escalante for driving while intoxicated, 3rd or more offense.
• Charles Allen Tubb for burglary of a habitation.
• Kyle Wesley Craig for burglary of a habitation and burglary of a building.
• Joyce Michelle Smith Blackwood for possession of a controlled substance, less than 1 gram.
• Cliffton Eugene Tincher for possession of a controlled substance, less than 1 gram.
• Ryan Brett Stewart for possession of a controlled substance, less than 1 gram.
• Richard Choate for possession of a controlled substance, more than 4 grams, less than 200 grams.
