Texas toddler stabbed to death ‘by his father’ identified

Officials in Texas on Monday identified the 16-month-old boy who police say was stabbed to death by his deranged father as Ashton Ness. 

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s revealed the victim’s name, but not his cause of death. 

Police in Lewisville have not identified Ashton’s father, who was hospitalized after being shot in the leg by a neighbor in a desperate bid to stop the deadly knife attack on his toddler son on Sunday afternoon.

But based on information and photos posted on Facebook pages that appear to belong to Ashton’s parents, the boy’s father is believed to be 28-year-old Blair Ness.  

The dad was filmed being dragged away by police after the stabbing frenzy, during which he was heard screaming, ‘Jesus is coming.’ 

 

Angel: Ashton Ness, aged 16 months, was stabbed to death in a horrific attack that police in Texas say was carried out by his own father  

The Texas father had to be dragged away by police after launching into a brutal stabbing attack on his 16-month-old son outside their apartment complex on Sunday

The Texas father had to be dragged away by police after launching into a brutal stabbing attack on his 16-month-old son outside their apartment complex on Sunday

Lewisville Police Capt Mike Lane told DallasNews.com they were withholding the suspect’s name pending his transfer to jail because the hospital where his is being treated is ‘not a real secure facility.’ 

According to an update sent to DailyMail,com on Tuesday, the suspect has been arraigned in the hospital on a charge of capital murder, and his bond has been set at $1.5million. 

A social media account belonging to a Blair Ness reveals that just five days before the horrific stabbing, the father-of-one posted a status update gushing about his family and his Christian faith, which was accompanied by a photo of his girlfriend and their son, Ashton. 

‘The start of something beautiful! I love my family, man do we have a strong bond. let’s all stand strong in jesus christ cause it’s so much better than magic. love you guys so much,’ he wrote.  

Lewisville Police Capt Jesse Hunter said that based on witness accounts, the father carried Ashton out of an apartment at the Oak Forrest Apartments in the 1500 block of Texas 121 Business in Lewisville shortly before 1pm on Sunday. 

Neighbors James Ellis and Jolyn Zapatos told CBS DFW that the man slammed his son to the concrete, then knelt beside him, took out a small knife and proceeded to stab him in the abdomen.

Based on information posted on social media, it appears that Ashton's father is 28-year-old Blair Ness, pictured here with his son and the boy's mother 

Based on information posted on social media, it appears that Ashton’s father is 28-year-old Blair Ness, pictured here with his son and the boy’s mother 

Final post: Just five days before the horrific stabbing, the father-of-one posted this status update gushing about his family and his faith

Final post: Just five days before the horrific stabbing, the father-of-one posted this status update gushing about his family and his faith

Alex Murphy shared this touching image of her slain son, writing in the caption: 'I’ll always love you little man'

Alex Murphy shared this touching image of her slain son, writing in the caption: ‘I’ll always love you little man’

Ashton and Blair Ness

Ashton and his mother, Alex Murohy

Ashton was with his father (left) on Sunday afternoon while his mother (right) was at work

A neighbor watching from a second-floor balcony, identified as Austin Andrew, shot the suspect in the leg, ending the attack. Police say Andrew will not face any charges.

Both father and son were taken to a hospital, where Ashton died of his injuries.  

Footage filmed by another neighbor showed several police dragging Blair Ness away from the scene.

He was screaming, ‘I just want to see my mom.’ He underwent surgery on Monday and was being treated for the gunshot wound to his leg and for injuries to his hand.

‘I’ve been in law enforcement for over 20 years, and this is probably the worst call I’ve ever been on in my career,’ Police Capt Hunter said. ‘We’re still all pretty confused on how something like this could happen.’ 

Ashton’s mother, Alex Murphy, was working a shift as a bartender at a sports bar at the time of the attack.  

Police say the suspect, whom they are not officially naming at this time (pictured above with Ashton's mom) underwent surgery on Monday

Police say the suspect, whom they are not officially naming at this time (pictured above with Ashton’s mom) underwent surgery on Monday

Footage filmed by a neighbor showed several police dragging the father away from the scene after he screamed ‘Jesus is coming’ before launching into the stabbing frenzy

Police say the father stabbed his 16-month-old son to death in the courtyard of an apartment complex 

Police say the father stabbed his 16-month-old son to death in the courtyard of an apartment complex 

She later shared a touching photo of herself kissing baby Ashton on the cheek, writing in the caption: ‘I’ll always love you little man.’ 

On Monday, a family member launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Ashton’s mother with her sons final expenses.

‘Ashton lit up a room when he entered it,’ the description read. ‘He had a great smile and the cutest dimples you ever saw. We had the pleasure of watching him last weekend and will never forget all that he learned and taught us.’

The page included a photo of a blonde, blue-eyed toddler seated in a chair on a deck with a slight smile on his face.  

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than $15,000 has been raised in donations. 

Witnesses told police that the man carried the child out of an apartment and yelled 'Jesus is coming' before putting the boy on the ground and stabbing him

Witnesses told police that the man carried the child out of an apartment and yelled ‘Jesus is coming’ before putting the boy on the ground and stabbing him

A neighbor in the apartment complex (above) who heard the screams grabbed his gun and shot the father in the leg to stop the attack

A neighbor in the apartment complex (above) who heard the screams grabbed his gun and shot the father in the leg to stop the attack

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk