Houston Chronicle

Houston, Texas

Authorities are investigating whether there was drug use in the home of a 5-week-old Webster boy whose mother said Tuesday that it was the family dachshund that severely mutilated the genitals of the baby, who remained in critical condition Saturday.

Doctors told authorities the child's injuries are inconsistent with dog bites, but no charges have been filed.

The boy lives with his 25-year-old mother, who does not work, and 35-year-old father, said Gwen Carter, spokeswoman for Children's Protective Services. They are not married and have no other children, she said.

Looking for past abuse

Carter said she did not know whether there were other issues, such as postpartum depression, but added that officials are investigating aggressively, including a report from relatives that "there may have been some drug use" in the household.

Doctors also are examining the baby for physical signs of past abuse.

Carter said she was unsure whether the boy's genitals were completely severed or if there are other injuries.

The child's fourth surgery — for skin grafts and more repair surgery — was originally scheduled for Saturday, but doctors wanted to give the baby a chance to "get stronger" before they performed another procedure, Carter said.

"Hopefully, he will make it another day," she said.

Doctors hopeful

Doctors were concerned late in the week that they might have to amputate one of the baby's legs because of a serious problem with a vein. But Carter said Saturday that doctors are now more hopeful they can save the leg.

Officials expect to obtain the child's medical records Monday, to see if there is a history of abuse and what the baby's condition was at birth, among other things, Carter said.

CPS has never investigated the family before.

Both parents, who have not been identified, are cooperating with investigators and have been visiting the baby at the hospital under the supervision of CPS, which has custody of the child, she said.

The boy's mother, who does not have a telephone, ran for help to a neighbor's apartment in the same apartment complex in the 400 block of El Dorado.

The neighbor called for an ambulance, and the baby was taken to Memorial Hermann-The Texas Medical Center. Upon arrival, he was in shock and had massive blood loss, officials said.

CPS was first alerted to the incident just before 4 p.m., when a person called the agency's anonymous abuse hot line.

The mother told officials she was awakened during a nap by the boy's crying, and that dog was standing over the bleeding baby.

Harris County Animal Control has the dog.

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