He allegedly killed his own 2-year-old daughter following chase, standoff

A Father was arrested after allegedly injuring his toddler daughter and leading the police on a chase in northwest Harris County. The incident ended in a brief standoff that resulted in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Zevaya Flanagan.

The father, Deontray Flanagan, 25, was charged with murder after he picked up his daughter from daycare and went to a Wal-Mart store where Zevaya’s mother works. An argument ensued, and Flanagan assaulted the mother, took her cell phone, and left the store with his daughter.

Flanagan’s phone was tracked by family members, who alerted law enforcement of his location. The police located Flanagan near Greens Road and I-45, and when they tried to stop him, Flanagan fled, leading to a high-speed chase.

During the pursuit, the police discovered that Zevaya was still in the car with Flanagan and was being physically abused. Flanagan’s car came to a halt after he attempted to drive through a field, and his car became disabled. A SWAT team approached the car, detained Flanagan, and removed Zevaya, who was unresponsive, from the car.

EMTs immediately began CPR on Zevaya, and she was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Flanagan was then taken to the Harris County Jail. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Houston Police Department and the Texas DPS, assisted in the incident, and an investigation is ongoing.

The tragedy has shaken the community, and authorities are reminding parents to seek help if they’re feeling overwhelmed or incapable of handling their children’s needs. It’s a dark reminder that child abuse can happen at any time, and the consequences can be devastating.

As we mourn the loss of Zevaya Flanagan, we must come together to support the family and take steps to prevent future tragedy.