Father beat his 4-year-old daughter into a vegetative state, California officials say

A father was found guilty of beating his 4-year-old daughter into a vegetative state, California officials said.

In November 2021, deputies responded to a Thousand Oaks home and found a girl “suffering from severe injuries caused by physical child abuse,” officials told KABC.

The girl had gone to stay with her father, Tekquan Alexander, for a prolonged visit and was abused with two belts, a cord and his fists throughout a week, the Ventura County Star reported citing court proceedings.

While searching Alexander’s home, investigators also found an unsecured assault rifle and handgun, according to a 2021 news release by Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

The girl was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, deputies said.

The girl, now age 7, “cannot speak, laugh, play or run,” prosecutor Rikole Kelly said during the trial, according to the Ventura County Star.

Alexander, 28, was convicted on charges of torture, assault on a child causing a comatose condition, and corporal injury to a child, according to a Nov. 9 news release by the Ventura County District Attorney.

He was also convicted of all “special allegations and aggravating factors, including the victim being vulnerable, Alexander taking advantage of a position of trust, and causing great bodily injury to a child under five,” prosecutors said.

Thousand Oaks is about a 40-mile drive northwest of Los Angeles.

This story was originally published November 13, 2024 at 12:35 PM with the headline "Father beat his 4-year-old daughter into a vegetative state, California officials say."