Houston dad charged with capital murder in potty training death

ByPooja Lodhia KTRK logo

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Father charged in three-year-old son's death

The toddler was seriously injured and died after an accident while potty training.

HOUSTON -- A 24-year-old man has been charged with capital murder for allegedly killing his son after a potty training accident.[br /][br /]Anthony Trakemon Powell is in jail on a $250,000 bond. Powell's sister, who prosecutors say did not report the alleged violence, is also in jail on a $30,000 bond.[br /][br /]Prosecutors say Powell picked up his two sons, aged two and three, from their mother in Jasper several weeks ago, saying he wanted to spend time with them. Then he decided to potty train the boys. Prosecutors say Powell became violent when the children started having accidents.[br /][br /]On May 26th or 27th, prosecutors say Powell hit the three-year-old so hard, he hit the tile floor of the bathroom. He was taken to Texas Children's Hospital with brain swelling and injuries to his legs and arms. He later died.[br /][Ads /][br /]Prosecutors say Powell also hurt the two-year-old, giving him serious burns on his head and arms. The child remains at the hospital.[br /][br /]Jade Tukes, the child's mother, told ABC affiliate [url HREF="[br /]http://www.12newsnow.com/story/29223864/family-of-jasper-boy-killed-in-houston-shocked" TARGET="" REL=""]KBMT-TV[/url] that she hopes Powell gets the harshest punishment.[br /][br /]"I hope they kill him," Tukes said. "I really do."[br /][br /][b][url HREF="/news/video-family-talks-about-death-of-3-year-old-boy/763696/" TARGET="" REL=""]VIDEO: Family talks about death of 3-year-old boy[/url][/b][br /][post ID="763696" /][br /][br /]Prosha Land, 23, is Powell's sister, and prosecutors say the boys and the father were all staying at her apartment.[br /][br /]Land is accused of allowing her brother to hurt the children. Tuesday, Land was in court, charged in regards to the two-year-old. She's expected back in court Wednesday in regards to the three-year-old.[br /][br /]Child Protective Services is investigating. CPS confirms there were several children living in the home with Powell, but all of them have been removed.