LA PORTE, Texas — In a dramatic turn of events, a man has been detained in connection with the gruesome 2012 murder of a toddler, as confirmed by the Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The suspect, 39-year-old Eric Johnson, was apprehended by the La Porte Police Department under suspicion of the killing of 16-month-old Shawn McCloskey, dating back more than a decade.
Breakthroughs that led to Johnson’s arrest were reportedly initiated by recent insights gained from the Attorney General’s “Texas Solves: Collaboration Workshop” held this May, law enforcement authorities disclosed.
The harrowing incident unfolded on July 19, 2012, when McCloskey’s mother discovered her son unresponsive. Johnson, who was then her boyfriend, had been taking care of the child the previous night, according to officials.
Tragically, Shawn McCloskey was pronounced dead after being rushed to a local hospital, establishing a haunting chapter that haunted family and investigators until now.
According to officials, an autopsy revealed that McCloskey had suffered multiple blunt force injuries equivalent to those seen in a high-speed vehicle crash.
The toddler’s death was ruled a homicide, authorities said.
Johnson was identified as a primary suspect early in an extensive investigation by La Porte police detectives, the AG’s office said.
“My Cold Case Unit has secured the evidence needed to arrest Eric Johnson for the murder of 16-month-old baby Shawn McCloskey. My office worked closely with the La Porte PD to bring justice to the victim of such a heartbreaking and heinous violent crime,” Attorney General Paxton said. “We will continue to do everything we can to solve cold cases across the state.”
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