A San Antonio man already linked to a previous child injury case appeared in court Monday after being charged in the death of a 9-month-old earlier this year. Court records show 31-year-old Rick Artis is now facing a first-degree felony charge of injury to a child, along with charges of felonious assault, domestic violence, weapons under disability, and vandalism.
He pleaded not guilty to all counts during his appearance in Akron Municipal Court. The latest case centers on a January 25 incident at an apartment complex on Ingram Road near Northwest Loop 410, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KSAT 12 News.
Artis told police he woke up “around 10 a.m.” and was preparing baby formula when he discovered the infant unresponsive in their crib. The child’s mother said the baby felt “cold and stiff,” prompting a 911 call at 10:30 a.m. Emergency crews arrived minutes later and pronounced the child dead at 10:44 a.m.
Initially, investigators found no visible injuries. But two days later, the Bexar County Medical Examiner reported the infant had suffered a “significant skull fracture” caused by “blunt force trauma.” When questioned, Artis first identified himself as “Eric,” a name police later learned was false.
Once his real identity was confirmed, detectives discovered he had an outstanding warrant connected to another child injury case from October 2018. That earlier case involved the death of 17-month-old Lyriq Ogilvie Artis. In 2020, Rick Artis was indicted on charges accusing him of striking the child, failing to restrain him in a vehicle properly, and failing to seek medical care. Lyriq’s death was ruled a homicide.
Though a trial was scheduled in July 2023, the case was dismissed moments before jury selection because a key witness could not be located. The case was reopened months later. KSAT has reached out to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office seeking clarification on why Artis was arrested nearly two years after the case was revived.
Investigators say the mother of the 9-month-old had left Artis to babysit three of her children the night before the infant’s death. She returned around midnight and saw the baby awake and “fine” before showering. By 3 a.m., both she and Artis were asleep.
Artis woke her after 10 a.m. to report that the infant was not breathing. Detectives later found text messages Artis exchanged with a paralegal and a friend discussing the child’s death before the 911 call was placed. A neighbor’s Ring camera also captured Artis outside on his phone at 9:33 a.m. A Bexar County judge has set his bond at $1 million. The investigation remains ongoing.
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