HOUSTON – A 25-year-old woman is accused of slapping her 7-month-old baby multiple times while she was staying at the Houston Area Women's Center in March, according to documents filed in court.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Vivian Gooden after Child Protective Services took custody of the baby, who had a red mark on his face from the alleged slaps.
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Gooden's roommate at the shelter told police that at about 7 p.m. on March 25, the baby became fussy and would not go to sleep. The roommate told police she saw Gooden slap the child with an open hand on his left cheek.
Police wrote that when the baby cried more from the slap, Gooden allegedly slapped him a second time.
The roommate told police she tried to convince Gooden to allow her to soothe the baby but Gooden allegedly said the roommate could not save the baby from the "'a-- whooping' he deserves," police wrote.
A shelter staff member was notified who told police she saw a red mark on the baby's cheek. When confronted, the staff member told police Gooden got upset and "threatened to kill everyone," police wrote.
When Gooden found out that Child Protective Services had been called, she took the baby and left the shelter.
Police wrote in the court document that Gooden had previous convictions for making a terroristic threat and assaulting family members. Child Protective Services also took custody of the child.
Gooden is now facing a felony charge of injury to a child under the age of 15.