On December 14, 2023, Tarrant County Judge Ruben Gonzales sentenced 37-year-old Brandon Hale to 10 years in prison for Injury to a Child causing Bodily Injury involving his 6-year-old stepson, Joseph King.
Hale, who was on probation for this offense, faced an additional charge of Injury to a Child causing Serious Bodily Injury when the same stepson was discovered unresponsive in his care and later passed away.
Assistant District Attorney Bill Vassar remarked, "There is no offense worse you could commit on probation than injury to a child that causes death."
Judge Gonzales expressed no hesitation in imposing the maximum sentence allowed for the original charge.
The Grand Prairie Police Department investigated the case.
