Lacravivonne Washington, who initially blamed her son’s death on road rage, was also charged with child endangerment and evidence tampering in his death.

By Kelli Smith

According to court records, a woman was indicted Monday on charges of manslaughter, child endangerment, and tampering with physical evidence in the fatal shooting of her 3-year-old son earlier this year. According to court records, a Dallas County grand jury indicted Lacravivonne Washington in the death of Jalexus Washington Jr., Jalexus Washington Sr., the boy’s father, was also charged with tampering with physical evidence on Monday. Their attorneys could not be reached for comment right away.

Jalexus was shot in the head on March 28 and was taken to Medical City Dallas Hospital in North Dallas by his mother, where he died. His mother initially told police that he and three of her children, ages two, three, and four, were involved in a road rage incident about 20 minutes before they arrived at the hospital.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, she also told police there was no gun in her car, but investigators discovered one in the glove compartment that could’ve been “easily” reached by her children. Lacravivonne Washington told police during a second interview that the gun was hers and that she reached for it twice during the road rage incident but never pulled it out, according to the affidavit. According to the affidavit, she also stated that her children “were freely moving around” from the front to the back seats of the car. According to police, there were no child safety seats or restraints in the car.

Investigators couldn’t find “a legitimate crime scene” or evidence to support the mother’s story, so police concluded she “recklessly killed” the boy, according to the affidavit. According to police, Jalexus’ autopsy revealed that he was shot in the head at close range, ruling out the possibility that he was shot by someone in another car. According to the affidavit, police discovered a second gun with Jalexus Washington Sr. and determined it was the weapon that killed the 3-year-old. Lacravivonne Washington purchased both guns on March 4, according to police. According to an affidavit, the father told investigators that Lacravivonne Washington gave him the gun at the hospital and asked him to hide it, so he put it in his pocket.

Two days after the shooting, both parents were arrested. Lacravivonne Washington was charged with child endangerment on two counts, as well as manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence on one count each. Jalexus Washington Sr. was charged with tampering with physical evidence on one count.

Four of their children, ages 2, 4, 7, and 9, were placed with a relative after the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services removed them from their home.

Lacravivonne Washington told a reporter “I’m still attempting to get myself together right” when reached by phone before her arrest. She lamented the short time she spent with her son—three years—in a number of Facebook entries. In her letter, she stated, “My baby took his last breath in my arms”.

According to court records, both Lacravivonne Washington and Jalexus Washington Sr. were released from jail after posting bond. Lacravivonne Washington is out with an ankle monitor, but a bail bondsman has asked that Jalexus Washington Sr. be arrested again because he hasn’t returned calls or checked in, according to court records.